Okay, it's not the most exciting drink, but it is very important for your body to function optimally:water. How much water do you drink per day and is it enough?
You read it regularly:it is best to drink eight glasses of water a day. But is that really true? Does that apply to everyone?
dr. Drew Sinatra tells Realsimple.com that it's different for everyone. “Water transports nutrients through your body. Water is important to regulate your body temperature (sweating removes heat and cools your body). By drinking water you can remove toxins, prevent constipation, improve your concentration, your skin becomes more elastic, you get more energy and a better mood. It's good for your health." All your cells in your body need water and that is why it is important to drink enough.
Read also: Is it always necessary to drink while exercising?
According to Sinatra, how much water you should drink depends on a number of factors:
Various studies show that an average healthy adult should drink about eight glasses a day. This can be water or drinks that contain water, but also food that contains a lot of water, such as cucumber.
Your pee is a good indicator of whether you are taking in enough fluids. For example, the frequency and color of your pee can tell you a lot. “Peating once every 90 minutes to two hours is very normal. If your urine is a dark color and you urinate every six hours or more, you are drinking too little. If you have to urinate every half hour and your urine is very clear, you are drinking too much.”
You can also tell by your skin whether you are drinking enough. Squeeze the skin on the top of your hand for a moment, then release. If your skin quickly changes back to its current shape, you are drinking enough, if it takes a while before your skin is normal again, you are dehydrated.
Other symptoms of fluid deficiency are dizziness, fatigue and forgetfulness.
As we said before, water is not really an exciting drink. Fortunately, there are ways to make water tasty. You can add fruit or vegetables to it. But there are also many fruits and vegetables that contain a lot of moisture.
Another way to 'eat' more fluid is soup! Sinatra:“Don't use too much salt, but a little salt is good for your hydration.”
Here are some recipes for delicious soups:
dr. Drew Sinatra has a few more tips:
