Water - Essential for Life but Eight Glasses a Day?

We have always been told to drink eight glasses of water a day, but have you ever wondered why this seems to be the magic number? Research tells us that water is important for our bodies because every cell, tissue and organ contain water. It is essential for life and plays many roles in the body:

•Controls body temperature • Aids in digestion • Carries nutrients around the body • Helps remove waste in the body • Helps with bowel regularity

Also, our bodies lose water by sweating, breathing and eliminating waste. If we lose more than we take in, the body can become dehydrated and it may lead to thirst, dry lips, tiredness, dizziness, irritability and headache. So it’s important to drink fluids regularly before you feel thirsty.

What research doesn’t tell us is just how many glasses of water we need every day to sustain ourselves. So there is actually no truth to the claim that everyone needs eight cups of water each day. To further confuse the subject, guidelines suggest that adult men require 12 cups of fluids per day and adult women require 9 cups. The term ‘fluid’ actually includes water as well as milk, juice, coffee and tea (this does NOT include pop, energy drinks or alcohol). However, the amount of fluid each person needs depends on your age, gender and activity level.

Confused? Exactly. Bottom line, drink water. It’s readily available, fresh and free of calories! Because the amount of water needed by each individual varies, I challenge you to find out just how much water is right for you! A few tips to help guide you:

• Carry a bottle filled with water to work, in your car and while exercising • Drink a glass of water when you wake up in the morning and before you go to bed • Drink a glass of water before eating meals