We all know that drinking water is important to our health. And we have all heard that we should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, but most of us do not know why water is so important or exactly how much we should be consuming for optimal health. In this article, we will answer those questions and many more.
The Basics
Your body is made up of 60% water, which is essential for cellular homeostasis and a wide variety of biological processes, including:
- Fueling the body with oxygen delivery
- Regulating temperature
- Lubricating joints
- Gastrointestinal health
It has been found that humans can survive without food for 2 weeks, but only 2 days without water. Water has been referred to as the “elixir of life” because it is the cornerstone of human existence and survival.
Water is a major constituent of various body parts and is present in the following amounts:
- Brain and heart – 73% water
- Lungs – 83% water
- Skin – 64% water
- Muscles and kidneys – 79% water
- Bones – 31% water
At birth, babies are composed of 78% water, and this decreases to 65% by age 1.
Adult men and women contain slightly different amounts of water due to differences in body composition. Women tend to carry more fat, which contains less water than lean tissue.
Thus, bodies of adult women are composed of 55% water, whereas bodies of adult men are composed of 60% water.
Why is water important to the body?
Because your body loses water through breathing, sweating, and digestion, it’s important to rehydrate by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. The amount of water you need depends on a variety of factors, including the climate you live in, how physically active you are, and whether you’re experiencing an illness or have any other health problems.
Water Protects Your Tissues, Spinal Cord, and Joints
Water does more than just quench your thirst and regulate your body temperature; it also keeps your body’s tissues moist. You know how it feels when your eyes, nose, or mouth gets dry? Keeping your body hydrated helps it maintain optimal moisture levels in these sensitive areas, as well as in the blood, bones, and brain. In addition, water helps protect the spinal cord, and it acts as a lubricant and cushion for your joints.
Water Helps Your Body Remove Waste
Adequate water intake enables your body to excrete waste through perspiration, urination, and defecation. The kidneys and liver use it to help flush out waste, as do your intestines. Water can also help prevent constipation by softening your stools and helping move the food you’ve eaten through your intestinal tract. However, there is no evidence that increasing your fluid intake will cure constipation.
Water Aids in Digestion
Digestion starts with saliva, which is primarily water. Digestion relies on enzymes in saliva to break down food and liquids and dissolve minerals and other nutrients. Proper digestion makes minerals and nutrients more accessible to the body. Water is also necessary to help you digest soluble fiber. With the help of water, this fiber dissolves easily and benefits your bowel health by making well-formed, soft stools that are easy to pass.
Water Prevents You From Becoming Dehydrated
Your body loses fluids when you engage in vigorous exercise, sweat in high heat, or come down with a fever or contract an illness that causes vomiting or diarrhea. If you’re losing fluids for any of these reasons, it’s important to increase your fluid intake to restore your body’s natural hydration levels. Your doctor may also recommend that you drink more fluids to help treat other health conditions, like bladder infections and urinary tract stones.
How much water should you drink daily?
There are many opinions on how much water you should drink every day.
Health authorities commonly recommend eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about 2 liters, or half a gallon. This is called the 8×8 rule and is very easy to remember.
However, some health gurus believe that you need to sip on water constantly throughout the day, even when you’re not thirsty.
As with most things, this depends on the individual. Many factors (both internal and external) ultimately affect your need for water.
The Mayo Clinic took up this question and answered exactly how much fluid the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate needs.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is:
- About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men
These recommendations cover fluids from water, other beverages, and food. About 20 percent of daily fluid intake usually comes from food, and the rest from drinks.
What about the advice to drink 8 glasses a day?
You’ve probably heard the advice, “Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.” That’s easy to remember, and it’s a reasonable goal.
Most healthy people can stay hydrated by drinking water and other fluids whenever they feel thirsty. For some people, fewer than eight glasses a day might be enough. But other people might need more.
Factors that influence water needs
You might need to modify your total fluid intake based on several factors:
- Exercise. If you do any activity that makes you sweat, you need to drink extra water to cover the fluid loss. It’s important to drink water before, during, and after a workout. If exercise is intense and lasts more than an hour, a sports drink can replace the minerals (electrolytes) lost through sweat.
- Environment. Hot or humid weather can make you sweat and require additional fluid intake. Dehydration can also occur at high altitudes.
- Overall health. Your body loses fluids when you have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Drink more water or follow a doctor’s recommendation to drink oral rehydration solutions. Other conditions that might require increased fluid intake include bladder infections and urinary tract stones.
Beyond the tap: Other sources of water
You don’t need to rely only on what you drink to meet your fluid needs. What you eat also provides a significant portion. For example, many fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon and spinach, are almost 100 percent water by weight.
In addition, beverages such as milk, juice, and herbal teas are composed mostly of water. Even caffeinated drinks — such as coffee and soda — can contribute to your daily water intake. But water is your best bet because it’s calorie-free, inexpensive, and readily available.
Sports drinks should be used only when you’re exercising intensely for more than an hour. These drinks help replace electrolytes lost through perspiration and sugar needed for energy during longer bouts of exercise.
Energy drinks are different from sports drinks. Energy drinks generally aren’t formulated to replace electrolytes. Energy drinks also usually contain large amounts of caffeine or other stimulants, sugar, and other additives.
What happens if you don’t drink enough water
Once you start to feel thirsty, dehydration has already begun.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Dark-yellow and concentrated urine
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Dry mouth, lips, and eyes
Symptoms of severe dehydration include:
- confusion
- having an intense sense of thirst
- lack of sweating even in warm climates
- low blood pressure
- producing little to no urine
- a fast heart rate
If you experience such symptoms, drink fluids. You may need to consult a medical professional for IV fluids to rehydrate.
Exercising
Gay men love to exercise, but we don’t talk enough about how much water we need to perform effectively and efficiently. We went to Men’s Health Magazine to get some answers.
“70%. Of all the fluids Americans drink every day, that’s how much isn’t water, according to the most recent U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Although the study reveals that most men reach their target for total fluid intake, only 30% of that is water. Which isn’t doing their health any favors, particularly if they’re exercising regularly.”
“Why? A humble glass of H2O may not be the most popular pre-workout tipple for Americans, but it’s certainly the most essential. A study published in the journal Sports Medicine found dehydration “consistently attenuates strength (by 2%), power (by 3%) and high-intensity endurance (by 10%).”
“As a rule of thumb, drink a 250ml glass of water 30 minutes before you hit the gym to ensure your muscles are firing on all cylinders. Then follow that up with 500ml within 30 minutes of finishing. Deciding how much to sip mid-session is more subjective. “Around 500ml of water during the course of a one-hour workout is sensible,” says nutritional therapist Jo Scott-Dalgleish.
“After 90 minutes of moderate exercise, water is no longer enough. At this point, your glycogen stores are mere fumes, and it’s time to start sipping electrolyte-rich sports drinks. For endurance athletes, managing minerals is exceptionally important and, although the concept of drinking too much water may seem strange, it can be dangerous”.
“Downing liters of water without replacing electrolytes can cause a condition called hyponatremia, which may lead to seizures, organ failure, and even death. If you’re tackling long-distance runs, ensure you have a tried-and-tested hydration strategy in place.”
Tips to help drink more water
Even in an age when plastic bottles filled with cold water are everywhere, some people still have a hard time meeting their daily water requirements. Here are a few hacks to help you out.
- Add flavor to your pitcher
- Drink a glass after every bathroom break
- Sip before every meal
- Use an app to track your cups
- Or take it a step further and get a high-tech water bottle
- Dilute sugary drinks with water and ice
- Keep a gallon jug nearby
Final note
Of all of the basic things you can do to increase your health, drinking water is one of the easiest. Some studies have linked drinking water to increased sexual drive, a possible cure for erectile dysfunction, and even a huge booster to your immune system. It is well known to increase skin complexion and elasticity, as well as hair and nail growth.
In short, we need water to live long, healthy lives!
