Everyone can agree that water is pretty much the healthiest substance you can put in your body, and yet everyone seems to disagree on how much we actually need per day. Over the years, various studies have recommended a plethora of different amounts, but which one is correct?
Everyone’s Different
The first thing that needs to be addressed is that no two people are the same. What may be the proper amount for one person might not be appropriate for someone else. So how do you know what’s right for you?
Listen to Your Body
There are a few ways to determine whether you’re getting enough fluids every day. If you rarely feel thirsty, that’s one sign that you’re drinking enough water. Another good sign that you’re getting enough is if your urine is colorless. However, there is a basic requirement level that pretty much everyone should adhere to.
General Recommendation
The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommended that men should ideally drink 3.7 liters of water a day, while women need 2.7 liters. However, they also reason that 20% of our fluid intake comes from the food we eat, so this measurement isn’t exactly clear cut.
But if you don’t feel like measuring liters every five seconds, the optimal recommended amount is eight cups of water per day.
