How Much Water is Enough For Our Body?
The average adult losses about 2.5 quarts or more (about 10 or more cups) of water daily through perspiration, urination, bowel movement and even breathing.
During hot, humid weather or strenuous physical activity, fluid loss may be much higher.
Unlike some other nutrients, the human body doesn’t store extra water for those times when you need more.
To avoid dehydration and to keep your body walking normally, replace the fluids lost through normal bodily functions.
How much water need each day? The Dietary Reference Intakes from the Institute of Medicine advise an Adequate Intake level of 3.7 liters of total water daily for males ages nineteen and over; for females nineteen and over, it’s 2.7 liters daily.
These amounts may seem like a lot, but ‘total water’ comes from many sources – from drinking water, other beverages and water in solid foods. Body weight is one factor affecting fluid need.
Additional factors that may cause a need for more water include climate, level of physical activity, diet and other physical differences.
- When you’re exposed to extreme temperatures - very hot or very cold - to your body uses more water to maintain its normal temperature.
- With strenuous work or exercise, your body loses water through perspiration. Drink before physical activity. And drink early and often during exercise. As a food practical guide, check the color of your urine.
- When you’re exposed to heated or recirculated air for a long time, water evaporates from your skin. Dry, recirculated air on planes promotes dehydration.
- Pregnancy and breast feeding increase the amount of fluid a woman’s body needs.
- Being sick makes a difference. Fever, diarrhea, and vomiting cause increased water loss. For the advise of your healthcare provider; drink plenty for water and other fluids to prevent dehydration.
- In a high fiber diet, your body needs extra water to process more roughage and prevent constipation.
How Much Water is Enough For Our Body?
