Does Anybody Really Know How Much Water You Should Drink in a Day?

The true answer to the question of how much water you should drink every day is: it depends.

The amount of water you should drink depends on many factors, according to MayoClinic.com.

“Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years, but in truth, your water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live. Although no single formula fits everyone, knowing more about your body’s need for fluids will help you estimate how much water to drink each day.”

According to the site, you should consider the following factors when determining what your water needs are:

• Exercise. When you sweat, you need to compensate for the loss of fluid by drinking extra fluid. How much extra depends on how much you sweat as well as how long you’re exercising and what you’re doing.
• Environment. Hot, humid weather like we’ve been experiencing makes you sweat, so you need extra fluid. In addition, heated indoor air can cause your skin to lose moisture, requiring more fluid.
• Health conditions. Drink more water if you have a fever, are vomiting, or have diarrhea, because these symptoms cause you to lose fluids. However, some conditions, such as kidney, liver, and adrenal diseases can require that you limit your intake of fluids; the same goes for heart failure.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding. You need additional fluids when you are pregnant and especially when  breast-feeding to keep hydrated.

How do you know if you’re getting enough fluid?

“Generally if you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and produce 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) or more of colorless or light yellow urine a day, your fluid intake is probably adequate. If you’re concerned about your fluid intake or have health issues, check with your doctor or registered dietician,” according to MayoClinic.com.