You may have heard that we should drink eight glasses of water per day, but is that true? Where did the so-called 8×8 rule come from? An eight-ounce glass of water is a typical serving size for water or other beverages in America. The 8 x 8 rule is a rough estimate of how much water you need to drink daily. Based on the conditions you live in, the temperature, and how much you exercise, different people need different amounts of water each day.
How much water should I drink in a day?
A gallon of water is 140 ounces. An eight-ounce glass is about 13 fluid ounces, which equals about a half-gallon. So, that’s 135 ounces of water a day. Some experts say a person should drink about half that amount, and then every other day. The math works out to 132 ounces a day, which is the amount experts recommend.
What about sweeteners? Water is the only beverage recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a dietary supplement for the general population. Water should be the number one way you get all the hydration you need, but sometimes we can make it more enjoyable to drink with added ingredients. What do the U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend?
How Much is 8×8?
The Mayo Clinic says an eight-ounce glass of water is the same as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s standard drink guidelines. At 8 ounces a day, you’re consuming about one to two cups of water, depending on what you drink. When you weigh 120 pounds, a typical daily target should be about 240 ounces of water.
So, where did the rule of “eight glasses of water” come from? As always, doctors didn’t come up with the standard simply on their own. “This measure comes from the few recommendations we have in our modern medical community,” the Mayo Clinic says. Initially, scientists recommended that women drink about 3.7 liters (nearly 13 cups) of water per day, and men about 5.7 liters (about 16 cups).
Should I Drink More Than 8×8?
You would benefit from drinking more water if you exercise twice a day and do not drink over 8 ounces of fluid per day. For most healthy people, the Mayo Clinic advises a daily intake of about 2 liters (or 8 cups) of water, which is approximately six 8-ounce glasses. “So,” you might think, “should I drink more?” The answer is: You should drink as much water as you’re feeling thirsty, which is about 2 cups or 8 ounces per day.
How Much Water Bottles a Day?
If you’re interested in learning how many glasses of water you should drink, check out this Water Bottle Calculator. The calculator shows you how many ounces you should drink per day and how much you should drink per week. Or you can get the official Mayo Clinic recommendations here.
Are any liquids “beverages”? So, what exactly are beverages? And does that include the water in your water bottle? Since the answer to both questions depends on how your body metabolizes the alcohol in your beer, wine, and liquor, not all drinks are considered “beverages” and not all calories in beverages count equally.
Disadvantages of Drinking 8 Glasses of Water a Day
The 8×8 rule can be helpful, but it’s not an exact science. Some people have a tendency to keep fluid in their bodies, so they may not be drinking enough water, especially if they’re exercising. Or, sometimes, dehydration may be the problem.
This is a natural body response for some people, but other more dangerous factors, like large meals, add even more calories to your daily water intake. If you’re elderly, very young, very sick, or overweight, your daily water intake may drop more quickly. And, if you’re taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, you may have to drink additional water to get the amount of fluid you need.
2 to 2.7 Quarts of Water a Day
The studies show: More research shows that depending on your weight, a less-than-8-ounce glass of water a day is not enough. You need a different amount of water based on your age and gender, so you need to speak with your doctor to find more. Here’s how Mayo Clinic experts broke it down, based on the studies.
Women and girls older than 19, especially women with multiple organ problems or pregnant or breast-feeding. The 8-ounce requirement goes up to 12 to 16 ounces The elderly and chronically ill: Don’t forget to ask your doctor about how much water you need.
How Much Water Should You Drink Per Day?
The best way to measure how much water you need is to convert your weight (in pounds) to fluid ounces (in ounces). You can calculate your daily intake in two ways: Forget the liquid; let’s look at the container. Most people measure their water intake in 8×8 water jugs, which is about the size of a gallon.
Remember to fill up those water jugs with at least half-gallons of water, so you get 8×8 ounces for every cup. How many cups of water? Do you know your water cup size? The simple rule is to divide the jugs’ cup size by the daily amount of water you need, which comes out to about 16 ounces for a person weighing 150 pounds. Isn’t 2 litters a day perfect match?
The Benefits of Water
The science behind water is essential to our bodies because, without it, we would die. The water density allows us to absorb more nutrients, vitamins, and minerals than when we eat these same nutrients in food. By flushing waste out of the body, water helps it also helps with circulation, muscle control, and relaxation.
The healthy and positive effects of water can help the body avoid certain illnesses, so it is essential to drink water to stay healthy. If you drink too much water, you may experience stomach discomfort or a drop in blood pressure. Drink some water and count to ten to remind yourself to slow down. If you struggle to drink 8 glasses of water each day, you may retain too much water.
What Happens If You Don’t Drink Enough Water?
That said, in reality, most of us don’t drink enough water. “The very best way to stay hydrated is to drink water every day, even if you’re not thirsty. “The longer you delay drinking water, the sooner your body pulls water from cells and tissues, which is then used for energy,” says Mayo Clinic. “If you wait more than four hours after a meal to drink water, you’ll not get enough of it.” Not drinking enough water can have dangerous effects, too, and can cause dehydration. If you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease, or during pregnancy, it is important to drink enough water.
How much water should you drink a day? Mount Sinai Health System
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why do I pee so much when I drink water?
Your kidneys filter out the hydrogen and oxygen atoms and wastes from your blood and then excrete it as urine. So when you drink a lot of water, you will urinate more often due to more substances in your blood and more waste to be excreted.
You should read this: How long does it take to pee after drinking water?
Does drinking water reduce belly fat?
Drinking water helps reduce weight in two ways: First, it acts as a hunger suppressant. Second, water helps to flush out toxins from the body. In addition to making you feel more full, water enables you to avoid processed foods and other foods that may be calorie-dense but nutrient-poor. These are the foods that usually make you gain weight.
How much water should a woman drink a day?
An adult woman should drink at least 2.7 liters of water per day. Infants and toddlers should drink at least 16 ounces of water per day. Water helps keep your body hydrated and helps flush out waste products.
How much water should I drink a day to lose weight?
A glass of water with each meal is an excellent habit to form. Drink 64 ounces of water with each meal. It will help you lose weight. In case you are not thirsty, drink water. This is the best way to ensure your body will never be dehydrated, and your metabolism will run at its peak.
Conclusion
The best way to remember how many glasses of water you need to drink each day is to go by your overall daily needs. Your total daily needs are 2 liters (equivalent to 8.6 cups or 84 ounces) of water for a healthy weight. So if you are overweight and you can drink 2.7 liters of water a day, then you are doing great! That means 4 bottles of water in a day would be much better.
Mayo Clinic suggests that if you are underweight and your daily needs are lower, you can drink more water or get up to 2.7 liters. If you are exercising vigorously, it’s recommended that you get more water, which will help with your workout. If you want to make your water bottle more fun, check out our water bottle buying guide. Are you interested in knowing more about water consumption? Check out the here.
