We are always constantly hearing that drinking water is good for you, especially during these summer months, but do you know exactly why? Water is vital to our health. It plays a chief role in many of our body’s functions, such as carrying nutrients to cells, getting rid of waste, maintaining body temperature, and preserving joints and organs.
Water is needed to survive and thrive. In fact, all living things would cease to exist without water. We don’t just need water, we are water. According to a United States Geological Survey, up to 60% of the human adult body is water. There are even some organisms whose bodies are composed of 90% water.
It only makes sense that you’d need to consume what your body already naturally possesses. That’s why hydration is so important. It not only cools you down but keeps your body optimally operating.
Each day there is a certain amount of water we need to drink to live and flourish. Of course, it varies depending on age and gender, but the survey states an adult male needs approximately 3 liters (3.2 quarts) per day while an adult female needs around 2.2 liters (2.3 quarts) per day.
That might sound like a lot of water to be drinking, but it’s critical you’re meeting this standard. If you find it difficult to drink water, there are a few tips that can help you stay hydrated.
- Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up.
- Set alarms throughout the day reminding you to drink.
- Invest in a fun water bottle. Your local Whole Foods Market has plenty of cute options!
- Study your body’s signals. Is it hunger or thirst?Â
- Drink a glass of water before each meal.
- Swap drinks high in sugar for sparkling water or seltzer.
- Add calorie-free flavoring to make it more tasty.
- Monitor the color of your urine to verify it’s clear or light-colored.
- Download a hydration app to monitor and track your intake.
- Eat your water! Fruits and vegetables like watermelon, strawberries, lettuce, and celery are high in water content.Â
