Water is Magic
Water is the most underutilized tool when it comes to your health. Merely drinking enough H2O each day can pay off in a big way. Proper hydration is essential to ensure you stay alert and energized, but it also provides that everything is functioning correctly in your body, including your skin!
So, how much water should you drink?
Follow these steps to determine your water intake according to your body weight:
Take your weight (in pounds) and divide that by 2.2.
If you're younger than 30, multiply that number by 40. If you're between 30-55, multiply that number by 35. If you're older than 55, multiply that number by 30.
Divide that sum by 28.3.
Your total is how many ounces of water you should drink each day. Divide that number by 8 to see your result in cups.
So how much fluid does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate need? The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that adequate daily fluid intake is:
About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men
About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women
These recommendations cover fluids from water, other beverages, and food.
Adapting your water intake based on your activity level?
Anyone who works out regularly should drink more water than someone who's sedentary. Not matching your intake with your exercise level can be harmful, from feeling sluggish to lowering blood pressure. For every 45 to 60 minutes of exercise you do, it's recommended that you drink a minimum of 40 ounces of H2O.
So if you've calculated that you need at least 72 ounces of water per day based on your weight, that number should jump to 120 ounces or more if you're doing an hour-long workout.
You need to drink extra water to cover any fluid loss. It's essential to drink water before, during, and after a workout. If exercise is intense and lasts more than an hour, try popping a Hydrolyte in your water bottle to replace minerals in the blood (electrolytes) that can be lost through sweat.
Can I drink too much water?
Although very uncommon, it is possible to drink too much water. Hyponatremia occurs when your kidneys can't excrete excess water, and your blood's sodium content is diluted. Athletes — especially if they participate in long or intense workouts or endurance events — are at higher risk of hyponatremia. However, drinking too much water is rare in healthy adults who eat an average American diet. (source)
Let the magic happen.
Drinking enough water is a super simple way to ensure your body is provided with the magical support to replenish itself. Think of it this way, our bodies are made up of a complex community of cells that runs miraculously every moment, and water is one of the essential components in maintaining that population. Let your glowing skin take center stage as the spokesperson for your healthy body!
