We’ve all heard that we should drink around 8 glasses of water a day but where exactly does that number come from? Is it one of those urban parables that simply got ingrained into modern society or is their really fact behind it?
The typical individual can lose around three litres of liquid each day through sweating, waste removal, and air that gets breathed out. On a 24 hour basis, that is over eight cups of fluid!
To avoid dehydration it should be common sense that we need to drink at least that much water. Food will be responsible for about twenty p.c of our H2o intake if we eat a nutritious diet that includes veggies and fruit.
The rest will need to come from what we drink. So we should accept the advice of eight cups of water every day is a good target.
Am I drinking Enough Water?
How does one know if you’re hydrated enough? If you happen to feel parched then you are not and being thirsty is the first sign of mild dehydration. If you’re exercising though, you should not wait until you are feeling thirsty. You must drink regularly through your workout even if you do not want feel the need to drink.
Why Do I really need To Drink So Much Water?
Blood is sometimes known as our life liquid but really it should be water that we give that name to. Blood, as it so happens is 92% water and our brain is made from almost 80% of the wet stuff.
The oxygen we breathe to live is moistened by water. Water helps our body stay at the correct temperature and stops us from burning up. It helps us convert the food we eat into energy, it protects our organs and it can aid in the removal of waste from our body.
Try the suggested 8 glasses every day for just a few days to see what effect it has on your body. I guarantee you will feel healthier, more alert and more energized. Incidentally, when I say drink 8 glasses of water I mean water. Tea, coffee and juices do not count!
As a private trainer and nutrition expert I know full well that telling people about the benefits of drinking water just doesn’t cut it and is often greeted with a lots of cynicism but I ask you to give it a go and see just what effect it has on you.
If you are trying to shed some weight, drinking the recommended 8 glasses of water is particularly helpful. Not merely will it help you to feel full, it’ll make sure the liver is working correctly and turn your stored excess weight into energy.
Tony Kinley is a private trainer, nutritionist and expert on mens fitness and health. Read his blog for more tips about weight loss for men
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