How Much Water Do We Need?

I recently talked about water consumption. Today I want to include that many people are amazed when they learn how much water they need to drink. You often hear people say " I don't drink that much water and I never feel thirsty". The first thing we need to understand is that thirst is a protective mechanism to warn of danger - a shortage of water in the body. When feeling thirsty the body is already 1-4 glasses short of the water needed for optimal body function. The time to drink water is before the feeling of thirst to prevent the stress on the body due to a shortage of water or dehydration.

When do you drink all this water? Upon waking up in the morning, in between breakfast and lunch, between lunch and supper and between supper and bedtime water should be taken guarding against drinking water with meals, as this dilutes the digestive juices, interferes with the digestion of food, and prolongs the time that food is in the stomach. It is very acceptable to drink water on an empty stomach about 15 to 30 minutes before the meal and then resume drinking one to two hours after meals. Many of us don't like the taste of water because we are not used to it so adding a small amount of lemon juice in the water will give it a fresh taste, making it more palatable.

According to research done by Mayo Clinic here is what they say:

"Water is your body's principal chemical component and makes up about 60 percent of your body weight. Every system in your body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues."

"So how much water does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate need? In general, doctors recommend 8 or 9 cups."

"Replacement approach. The average urine output for adults is about 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) a day. You lose close to an additional liter (about 4 cups) of water a day through breathing, sweating and bowel movements. Food usually accounts for 20 percent of your total fluid intake, so if you consume 2 liters of water or other beverages a day (a little more than 8 cups) along with your normal diet, you will typically replace your lost fluids."

"Dietary recommendations. The Institute of Medicine advises that men consume roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day."

Stay tunned. I have more tips, ideas, recipes and more. Happy Dieting! Have a wonderful week friends. Thanks for stopping by.