Water is an important part of our daily regimen. It helps to maintain our body temperature, helps to transport nutrients throughout the body, and gets rid of waste products in the body.
While everyone knows water is important, a big question is how much water is required by our bodies.
How much water do you need everyday
The 8 glasses of water a day idea is an old rule, while it is a good place to start it is not correct any more.
You should base how much water you need on how much you weigh. About half your bodyweight in ounces is best for those who are not exercising everyday.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding you should add 24-32 more ounces on top of the already half your body weight.
How should you replenish your water during exercise
When exercising, you should add 12 oz for every 30 minutes of exercise on top of what you need in a day.
It is also important to make sure you are hydrated enough before you workout. In this case, you need to consume water 24 hours before the workout. If you workout everyday, this is going to mean continuing to keep water intake high.
While exercising, it is also important to make sure you keep your electrolytes up. Electrolytes are minerals the body needs and they include sodium, potassium, and calcium.
If you do not replenish your electrolytes then the increased water can become dangerous, causing other issues in your body.
Is cold water or room temperature water better
I have heard many people say drinking room temperature water is better for your digestion and health. However, while researching more I found this to be not exactly true. The article here shows there is no difference between drinking cold or room temperature water on cardiovascular or metabolic responses.
Water intake during winter months
During the winter time, drinking water and staying hydrated is just as important as in the summer time. We still perspire and require water even when it is cold outside.
Dehydration can set in with the smallest symptoms and we might not recognize it. Making sure you are drinking even when it is cooler will ensure these symptoms do not occur.
Since water is an important part of our daily regimen, please stay hydrated all year long! If you are needing more nutrition advice, check out my blog post on weight loss tips that are not diets.