Well, you have been probably heard about this health myth- you need to drink 8 glasses of water per day. But it turns out the answer is far more complicated than that, according to health experts.
Exactly how much water should you drink to stay hydrated, anyway?
With age, the thirst in your body becomes less reliable and noticeable, which means that, compared to younger people, older people need to get more fluids.
The amount of fluids that our body needs varies according to many factors such as physical activity levels, physiology and climate. Health experts recommend 2.2 l (nine cups) per day for women and 3l (12 cups) for men. These amounts also include the fluids we get from the food we eat like fruits and veggies. If the weather is hot or if you’re somewhere with indoor heating, remember, that you’ll need extra fluids. Also, if you’re exercising, you’ll need to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Vary your drinks if you are bored of drinking just water
If you are bored of drinking just water, try to vary your sources of fluids to stay hydrated. Besides water, you can drink juice, milk, coffee, tea or soup. Don’t worry about the caffeine in coffee and tea, they provide more water than they drain.
Signs of dehydration
Here are the signs of dehydration, which means you should drink extra fluids to stay hydrated.
- Dark colored urine with strong smell.
- Dry mouth.
- Headache and dizziness.
- Fatigue and irritability.
- Reduced concentration.
Earlier recognition of these signs will prevent the dehydration to cause a racing heart, delirium, loss of consciousness or chronic dehydration. If you suspect poor hydration, the remedy is simple – just drink up!