Human body is made of 60% water. It flushes toxins from your organs, carries nutrients to your cells, cushions your joints, and helps you digest the food you eat.
If you don’t get enough water, you can become dehydrated. Severe cases of dehydration can cause dizziness, confusion, and even seizures.
Drinking water
We’ve all heard that it’s best to drink 8 glasses of water in a day. But the truth is, how much water your body needs, it depends on how active you are and what type of climate you live in, among other things. Even if you’re not very active or live in a humid climate, you lose water every day through your breath, sweat, pee, and bowel movements.
If you’re outside on a hot day, or doing something that makes you sweat a lot, you’ll need to drink more fluids to stay hydrated. The same is true if you have an illness that causes you to throw up, have diarrhea, or run a fever.
Your recommended water intake includes all sources — drinking water, other beverages, and food. But be careful — certain fluids have their drawbacks.
For instance, juices, sodas, and smoothies can be hydrating, but they can also be high in sugar and calories.
Coffee and tea provide water, too. But, they also contain caffeine, which can make you lose more water when you pee. Most healthy people can safely drink about 2 to 4 8-ounce cups of coffee each day. Scale back if it makes you feel anxious or jittery.
Alcoholic drinks contain water, too. But like caffeine, they actually cause you to lose more water through your urine. This can lead to dehydration.
Sports drinks have a high water content. They also contain carbohydrates and electrolytes, which can help you absorb water and keep your energy levels up. During intense workouts, they help to replace salt lost through sweat. But be careful: many also contain lots of extra calories, sugar, and salt. Check the nutrition label. Pay attention to the serving size, and limit how many you drink.
Do you drink enough fluid that you rarely feel thirsty? Is your pee either clear or light yellow? If you can answer “yes” to both, you’re probably getting all the fluid you need.