How To Calculate How Much Water You Should Drink A Day

For optimal results, combine water with a balanced diet and regular exercise. Adopting a lifestyle that includes staying hydrated, eating sensible portions and nutritious foods, and engaging in physical activity is the best way to lose weight.

More Questions and Answers About How Much Water to Drink

What liquids count towards your daily water goal?

Pretty much all liquids count towards your daily water intake goals. This includes sparkling water, juice, milk, tea, coffee, smoothies, and even soda and diet soda. However, the best and most affordable option is always plain water. And it better for your body than other beverages according to this Harvard study.

A few notes about caffeine. For a long time, people believed that drinking caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea, actually counted against your daily water intake since they are diuretics. However, recent studies suggest that this might not actually be the case.

One other important note, food also contributes to your daily water goals. Some foods, like watermelon, is almost 100% water and therefore counts as well. Since this can be hard to track, just think of food as extra water you are having every day instead of trying to track it.

How much water is too much?

Many people wonder if there is actually a point where you can drink too much water. There are some rare cases of someone over-hydrating, known as hyponatremia. However, it is very rare and usually only seen in endurance athletes who are over-drinking while doing very intense exercise or in older adults with certain health conditions.

For the average person, this is normally not a concern.

Is drinking a gallon of water bad for you?

Water poisoning or water intoxication is a condition where someone drinks too much water in a short period of time and their cells become imbalanced due to a loss of sodium. It is a serious condition but extremely rare.

General guidelines suggest that you shouldn't drink more than 27-33 ounces of water per hour. This means drinking a gallon of water in an hour wouldn’t be recommended.

Any type of water challenge could potentially be dangerous and it is always best to listen to your body.

How much water do you really need?

At the most basic level, you should be drinking enough water every day that you do not show any symptoms of dehydration and that your body is functioning well. There is no exact number for everyone since it varies based on your body, activity level, diet, climate, and more.

Generally speaking, doctors recommend that you get at least 6 cups of water daily at a minimum but most people should be drinking more than that. One easy indicator is urine. Your urine should be fairly frequent and like yellow or clear in color. Darker or smelly urine is an indicator of dehydration and usually indicated you should be drinking more water.

Does water affect your energy levels?

Water can have a huge impact on energy levels. People who are dehydrated report feeling more tired, sluggish, and lethargic. Staying hydrated helps keep your cells functioning properly and helps energy levels stay high. In fact, it is one of the most recommended tips for boosting energy levels quickly.

Does water intake affect brain function?

Water and proper hydration have been shown to greatly benefit brain function. Specifically, staying hydrated can boost mood and mood stability, improve concentration, improve cognition, aid memory, prevent headaches, and even reduce stress.

How can I tell if you are dehydrated?

Here are some of the most common symptoms of dehydration:

• Feeling thirsty
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Change in mood
• Feeling tired or weak
• Trouble concentrating or focusing
• Increase in body temperature
• Rapid breathing and/or heartbeat
• Flushed or red skin
• Dry mouth, eyes, or lips
• Dark yellow or smelly urine (note, this isn’t solely caused by dehydration and is common after taking multivitamins or eating certain foods as well. This evens out throughout the day, so most of your urine should mostly be light or clear.)

Should I drink 8 glasses of water daily? What about the “8 by 8” rule?

To help people have a tangible amount of water to focus on, there was a push to recommend that the average person drink 8 glasses of water by 8 PM daily. This would mean that you drank at least 64 ounces of water daily.

There is no solid evidence suggesting that this is, in fact, the right amount, but it is probably a good recommendation for a minimum amount. Depending on your lifestyle, body type, diet, age, and more - this will vary.

What factors affect how much water you need daily?

The amount of water someone needs daily depends on a number of different factors. Here are the most common factors that affect water needs.

• Activity Level and exercise: People who exercise or do rigorous activity will need to consume more water daily. However, the exact amount varies depending on the activity, muscle mass, and climate.
• Climate and temperature: If you live in a hot and humid climate, or it’s a hot day, you will need more water. As we sweat and perspire, we need to replace the water we are losing.
• Diet: Diets that are higher in sodium may require more water to flush out that sodium.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Pregnant and nursing moms will need more water than the average person.

How do you know if you are well hydrated?

The easiest way to know that you are well hydrated is to pay attention to your urine. Generally speaking, it should be light yellow or clear without too much of a smell. Thirst is another indicator, but many people confuse this with hunger.

What about caffeine? How does it affect water intake and hydration?

There used to be a common belief that caffeine counted against hydration since it is a diuretic. However, recent studies have shown it may not affect hydration as much as was previously thought. With that said, water is always the best option when trying to stay hydrated.

How much water do you need during exercise?

It is recommended that you drink water before, during, and after exercise. For most exercise, plain water will do. Some people recommend drinking an electrolyte drink after doing any vigorous exercise for an hour or more to replace lost electrolytes.

One other note, drinking too much water too fast during exercise can cause cramps and stomach pain. It is best to sip slowly while working out in most cases.

What other questions do you have about how much water to drink?