If you're like most people, you've seen plenty of guidance throughout the years on just how much water you should drink each day. You may have read guidance that says coffee and soda count as water intake, and guidance that says they don't. You may also have red that you need different amounts of water depending on your age, biological sex and body size. The bottom line is that there's plenty of conflicting advice out there, so how are you supposed to know what's true? This guide explains.Water's Health Benefits
your body is made mostly of water. In fact, it makes up around half to 70% of your body weight, and you need it to survive. Every part of your body needs it to work properly. When your body gets rid of waste, regulates your temperature, lubricates your joints and protects your tissues, it does so with water's help.If you don't take in enough water, you'll become dehydrated. Dehydration occurs when there isn't enough water in your body to perform the functions of living. One of the first signs of dehydration is thirst, followed quickly by a loss of energy - and surprisingly, it doesn't take much to dehydrate a human body.But just how much water do you need to keep your body (and by extension, your skin) healthy?Related: 3 signs you could use under-eye fillersHow Much Water Do You Really Need in a Day?
In order for your body to function properly, you need to take in plenty of water. That's because you lose water when you breathe, sweat or use the bathroom. Some of the water you take in can come from foods, but most of it comes from beverages. Generally speaking, you should make it your mission to drink pure, plain water - that is, water that comes from a bottle or tap that isn't turned into another type of drink, such as coffee, soda or something else.As a general rule, women need about 11.5 cups of water a day. Men need around 15.5 cups a day. However, that amount varies based on your body composition (your fat-to-muscle ratio), the climate you live in, your size and your activity level - as well as a number of other factors. If you're not sure how much water you should drink, you should talk to your doctor. She'll be able to give you the guidance you need.Related: 5 skincare tips you can’t afford to ignoreIs "8 Glasses a Day" Outdated Advice?
At one point in time, the recommendation was to drink 8 glasses of water a day. However, that advice is now considered outdated and too simplistic. That's because every individual needs different amounts of water every day; factors like temperature, activity level and body composition can affect how much water you need.You may need in increase your total fluid intake based on:- Exercise
- Environment
- Your level of health
- Whether you're pregnant or breastfeeding
