Hydration- Are You Drinking Enough Water?
Written by Jeff Spaeth, Personal Trainer, Licensed Massage Therapist, MA71453.
hydration [hi-dra´shun] – the absorption of or combination with water.
You have probably heard that more than 50 percent of the human body is made of water. What is even more amazing is that our brain and heart is 73 percent water and our lungs are 83 percent H2O.
The Institute of Medicine’s food and nutrition board does not specify water requirements, but it does “recommend” 91 ounces of water a day for women and 125 ounces a day for men. This amount includes water from beverages and foods combined. About 20 percent of the daily recommended water intake comes from food. This means the actual recommended water intake is 73 ounces (9 cups) for women and 100 ounces (12.5 cups) for men.
Being thirsty is a sign of dehydration. Feeling thirsty is your body’s way of telling you you’re not drinking enough water. For physically active individuals, water has added benefits. It helps prevent muscle aches and flushes toxins from the body.
Only 22 percent of Americans drink the recommended 64 ounces (8 cups) of water a day. Are you drinking enough water? Here are two great ways to make sure you are getting enough water each day:
- Pour a pitcher that contains the amount of water you want to drink each day. If you can see it, there is a better chance you will drink it.
- Drink from a large container with a straw. This will subconsciously cause you to drink more. The straw is a trick that fast food chains have long employed.
So, let’s “get our drink on” and stay healthy and hydrated! For more heath and exercise tips, check back on our blog! Members, if you’d like to schedule a personal training session with me, call the Fitness Center at (352) 402-4350.