How much water should you drink a day? (Use This Formula)
Water for Life!
How much water should you drink a day?
Water is absolutely critical to our body which comprises about 75% water; the brain has 85%, blood 90%, lungs 90%, muscles 75%, kidney 82% and even bones has 22%. Basically, we are made of water!
Water Keeps Us Alive
Water dissolves many valuable nutrients, minerals, and chemicals in the biological processes and transports them to different parts of our body. The carbohydrates and proteins that our bodies use as food are metabolised and transported by water in the bloodstream.
Water is just as important in the transport of waste and toxins out of our bodies. Without the replenishment of fresh water, our body will fail to function, start to waste away, and finally collapse. An adult loses about 2.5 litres water every day through perspiration, breathing, and elimination (urine and faeces), and when the body loses 5% of its total water volume, symptoms of dehydration such as thirst, unexplained tiredness, irritation, dark urine, will begin to show up.
The consequence of consuming insufficient water can be devastating to our body. The cells will start to draw water from the bloodstream instead, causing the heart to work harder. At the same time, when the kidneys fail to cleanse the blood effectively due to inadequate water, the liver and other organs will have to work harder, putting them under extra stress. Continuous water loss over time will speed up aging but increase risks of diseases and health issues such as constipation, dry and itchy skin, acne, nosebleeds, urinary tract infection, coughs, sneezing, sinus pressure, and headaches.
How Much Water is Enough?
So, how much water should you drink a day? How much water is enough for you? This formula gives you only an estimate (The Healthy Skin Guide, 2009). The actual amount an individual needs depends on various factors like lifestyle, exercise, diet, etc. Also, pregnant women and nursing mothers would need more fluid to stay hydrated. As a general guide, the minimum amount of water you need depends on our body weight. For two pounds of body weight, an ounce of water is required. This means, approximately, for every 1kg of body weight, you would need 0.033 litre of water.
Water (in litre) to drink a day = Your Weight (in kg) Multiply by 0.033
So, if you are 60kg, you should drink about 2 litres of water every day. And for 90kg weight, you'll need about 3 litres of water. All you need to do is multiply 0.033 to your weight in kg.
Water Heals
The secret to overcoming many health issues like pain, inflammation, lethargy, mental fatigue, anxiety, depression, obesity, in fact can be found in water - the most common healing medicine. Drink enough of water, there is healing power in it. Don't indulge in drinking soft drinks, thinking they can quench your thirst. Carbonated high fructose corn syrup drinks are diuretics; the caffeine in it squeezes liquids out of the body and depletes our water reserves. They are wrong substitutes of water.
Water Therapy
Hydrate yourself adequately daily. Check how much water should you drink a day and target to make it happen. Many of you might have heard of this water therapy for good health maintenance – On a daily basis, first thing early in the morning, head straight for the kitchen and drink 5 glasses of water (about 1 litre) even before you brush your teeth or wash your face. Wait for at least half an hour before you take your breakfast.
And of course, a simple glass of water mixed with a spoon of natural sweetener honey in the day would lift up your spirit and make your life a little sweeter!
Other Related Pages
1. Why honey water is good for your body. Read: The Amazing Benefits of Drinking Honey Water.
2. Do you know that honey can help you lose those pounds? Why and How to Use Honey for Weight Loss.
3. Have you tried a 3-day fast with honey before? More in: My First 3-Day Fast with Honey (6 Days of Wins and Woes).
4. Eating honey before, during and after workout can have great benefits on both your energy levels and recovery times. Learn more in: Honey Energy Drink.
5. Take up this challenge - drink honey water morning and night as a daily regimen for three months and see the positive effects on your health. Check out: Honey Water Challenge.