We are what we drink! Are you drinking enough water? … Are you sure about that? Believe it or not, most people aren’t getting enough. Ask yourself this: Do you get headaches, suffer from fatigue, or sometimes feel a little weak or dizzy? If so, you may just need to start drinking more water. So, before you reach for the pain medicine for a headache, try drinking a tall glass of water instead. It may be all you need!
Your body is made up of mostly water, so of course proper hydration is essential for good health and to keep dehydration at bay. According to medical experts, you need the equivalent of 2 cups of water for every pound of water weight that you lose.
How do you know when you lose two cups of water weight? Some signs of dehydration are: mild to excessive thirst, irritability, dry lips, fatigue, headache, dry mouth, little or no urination, muscle weakness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. It’s important not to wait until you notice these signs to start drinking, because these signs may mean you are already dehydrated!
Once you know it’s time to drink, think about WHAT you’re drinking. Water is obviously the best option, yet we all need variety. But remember, not all hydration is created equal. For example; one cup of coffee is not equal to one cup of water. That’s because coffee is a diuretic, and so are many other beverages, such as tea and soda. How much water do you need per day? Recommendations say that women need approximately 11.5 cups of total fluid a day (from beverages and food) while men need approximately 16 cups day. While you can meet your daily fluid intake requirement with water alone, keep in mind that beverages, as well as foods with high water content, contribute towards this recommendation. On average, about 80 % of an individual’s total water needs are met by drinking beverages and about 20% is provided by food.
When you think of other beverages, however, you can’t just think of their hydration effect. Drinks other than water often contain calories, sugar, and/or caffeine. These things can impact on your health in other ways, such as contributing to weight gain.
Obviously, staying hydrated is essential to any good exercise program. So drink to your health!