How Much Water Should You Really Drink?
It’s always been confusing for me to really know how much water we need to drink each day. My friends say it’s best to drink as much as possible, so they all carry their giant water bottles with them. For years I have aimed to drink eight glasses a day, and have even tried infusing my water with fruit so it doesn’t get boring.
Now I might rethink my strategy. Through my partnership with Baptist Health South Florida, I learned the “eight glasses a day” rule is a myth. Even dietitians don’t know much about its origin.
Experts say most healthy people just need to follow their thirst levels. There are several factors involved when figuring out how much water to drink each day, including a person’s weight, overall health and whether they spend a lot of time outdoors in a warm climate. I do live in Miami, so I know hydration is key, especially if you’re active or working outside.
How to monitor if you need to drink more water
Natalie Castro, chief wellness dietitian for Corporate Wellness at Baptist Health South Florida, recommends monitoring changes in the number of times people have to go to the bathroom, and even the color of their urine, if necessary. “If it’s a pale yellow, that indicates a good hydration level,” she says. “If it has a very dark color, then that indicates dehydration.”
Regardless of how much water we need, experts do agree that the most important factor for those who are overweight or have other health issues is to diminish the amount of sugary drinks, sodas or alcohol consumed in favor of water. If it’s hard for you, start by replacing one of those drinks with a glass of water each day.
You can read more about how much water we really need and more health information here.
For more health tips, remember to check Baptist Health South Florida’s blog.
Disclosure: this post is part of a sponsored collaboration with Baptist Health South Florida but all opinions are my own.
