How Much Water Should You Be Drinking Daily?
The magic formula for water consumption used to be eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. However, according to recent research, this information may not adequately reflect an individual’s needs for proper hydration and digestive health.
According to Doctor Trent Nessler, director of Baptist Sports Medicine in Nashville, “It depends on your size and weight, and also on your activity level and where you live.”1 He believes that one should consume about half of their body weight in ounces daily. For example, if you are 150 pounds, you should consuming roughly 75-90 ounces of water per day.
However, several other factors besides weight play a role in the range of how much water you should be drinking. First is climate: if you live in a warm, humid area, more water should be consumed versus if your climate is cooler, the amount of daily water intake required would be less. In addition, exercise is a large determinate of how much water one should be drinking. Water is lost as you sweat, so you should try to drink an additional 4-6 ounces for every half hour you are exercising. This allows the body to stay hydrated even while expending calories.
Your drinking schedule can be just as important as the amount you are drinking. It is best to drink small amounts throughout the day instead of large bouts of liquid all at once. Drinking smaller amounts in regular intervals can help flush out toxins and boost your metabolism. Water is a natural detoxifying agent so if it is consumed periodically, the body is always being “cleaned out.”2 Simple H2O can help with constipation, acne and skin hydration, and even decrease the risk of kidney stones.
So drink up because the benefits go on and on! Remember that even if you are not thirsty, your body needs the water in its system!