How much water should we drink?

 

Water is the lifeblood of the animal kingdom and humans are no different. More than 50% of our bodies is water. It controls saliva, keeps membranes moist and is used by the brain to produce hormones. It helps us flush waste and keeps us cool. If food is fuel, water is life itself.

 

So how much of it should you be drinking daily?

 

Aim for 2 litres of water a day

The gold standard for water consumption is between six to eight glasses of water a day, the equivalent of two litres. When you consider that a litre is the equivalent of a draft, two drafts of water is all you need a day to keep your body, brain and limbs optimally lubricated.

 

However, the recommendation is a guideline. Our bodies process the water differently depending on our physiological make up and what we’re doing. If you feel hydrated drinking five, fine, but if you’re exercising intensely, you’ll likely need more.

 

But how do I know I’m getting enough?

As trivial as it might sound, you can get a clear idea of your hydration level by simply looking at the colour of your urine. A pale yellow colour indicates you’re hydrated while a darker, stronger colour is a clear indication you need to drink more. Urine first thing in the morning tends to be darker too, since our bodies have gone several hours without water.

 

 

Tips for drinking more

Consume anything on a regular basis and you’re bound to grow tired of it, so it’s no surprise that so many of us start off with good intentions and quickly taper off.

 

While it’s not ideal, fruit juices, teas and even coffee all contain water our bodies use. A moderate amount of caffeine intake a day can be beneficial, so long as it doesn’t leave you urinating frequently and feeling unwell.

 

However, the typical juices you find at shop stores are loaded with sugars and additives. You’re better off squeezing a splash of lemon or lime into a chilled glass of H20 to keep things fresh, as sugar-heavy drinks make regular drinkers dependent on them.

 

Can I drink too much?

Yes! Bizarrely enough, the truism too much of a good thing applies here too. Excess water – and we’re talking litre upon litre – can disrupt your sodium levels and cause your body to take liquid from your blood and into your cells, where it’s possible to enter a coma from swelling in the brain.

 

Babies are at a risk (most doctors advise sticking to milk) as are marathon runners who are continually dehydrating themselves and rehydrating with gallons of water. Ordinary people? You’d have to try very hard indeed to feel any adverse effects, which doctors report are similar to heatstroke.

 

In the end, there are far more people who suffer from dehydration than overhydration, so let’s all make a concerted effort to treat water with the reverence it deserves, drink it for our health and remember that, in times of drought, water is a luxury, not a throwaway consumable.