How Much Water Do You Need?

| 2 min read

A woman stands at a kitchen sink filling her teal water bottle.
Did you know that the human body is made up of around 70% water? Water is used in all of the body’s cells, tissues and organs. Water also keeps the body’s temperature regulated, so you need to keep the water intake going for your body’s health.

Drink Up

How much water should you be drinking? On average, experts recommend 64 ounces a day; however this varies depending on the climate where you live, your level of physical activity and if you have any illnesses. You also lose water naturally each day through sweating, exercising, urinating, bowel movements and breathing.
Find out exactly how much water you should be drinking a day with this hydration calculator. You may be surprised how much you should actually be drinking each day.

Benefits of drinking water:

  • Water helps boost energy levels.
  • It transports oxygen and other important nutrients to the cells in your body.
  • Eighty-five percent of your brain tissue is comprised of water, so if you’re dehydrated, your body and mind will both be stressed.
  • Water keeps your joints lubricated and helps to prevent muscle cramping.
  • It’s essential to digestion; water dissolves waste particles and passes them smoothly through the digestive tract, helping to avoid constipation.
  • Water lowers the risk of getting kidney stones.
  • It hydrates your skin. If you are dehydrated, your wrinkles are deeper, so drink that water and look younger naturally.
  • Water cools your body from the inside out.

Not a fan of water?

If you don’t like water, there are other alternatives to get in your daily fluids:
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Milk
  • 100% juices
  • Tea
  • Seltzer water
  • Adding a lemon or other fruit to naturally flavor the water
Keeping hydrated is important at any age, especially for the young and the elderly. Need ideas on how to hydrate? Check out these blogs:
Photo credit: Getty

A Healthier Michigan is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
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