How much water should I drink each day?

Should I drink water every day? Yes, like you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine, and bowel movements! For your body to function properly, you must replenish what's lost, the water supply can be restored minimally by consuming beverages and anything that contains water.

So how much water does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate require? Thanks to The National Academies of Sciences which has determined that an adequate daily water intake is:

About 3.7 liters of water for men About 2.7 liters of water a day for women These replenishments cover fluids from water, other beverages, and food. About 20 percent of daily fluid intake usually comes from food and the rest from various kinds of drinks.

Now What about the advice to drink 8 glasses a day? huh! You've probably heard the advice, "Drink eight medium-sized glasses of water each day." That's easy to remember, and it's a reasonable goal that you and I can achieve.
Most people can stay hydrated by drinking water and other fluids whenever they feel thirsty. For example, some people require, fewer than eight glasses a day, which might be enough. But other people might need more.

Factors that increase water needs, You might need to modify your total fluid intake based on several factors:
Exercises: If you do any activity that makes you sweat, you need to drink extra water to cover the fluid loss, tip always recover the fluid. It's important that you consume water before, during, and after a workout. If exercise is intense and lasts more than an hour, a sports drink can replace minerals in your blood (electrolytes) lost through sweat so have a chilled pack of energy drinks.

Environment: Hot or humid weather can make you sweat and requires additional fluid intake, cover-up in humid weather. Dehydration also can occur at high altitudes. wear summer clothes and you may also carry an umbrella though it's not raining,.. remember it's for protecting against dehydration

Overall health: Your body loses fluids when you have any fever or you vomit or you get diarrhea. Drink more water or follow a doctor's recommendation and also drink oral rehydration solutions. Other conditions that might require increased fluid intake include bladder infections and kidney stones.

Pregnancy or breast-feeding: Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding need additional fluids to stay hydrated and produce enough milk. The Office on Women's Health recommends that pregnant women drink about 2.4 liters of water daily and women who breast-feed consume about 3.1 liters of water a day.