Why do we need water?
- Water helps the body keep your temperature normal
- Water lubricates and cushions joints
- Water rids the body of waste
- Water protects the spinal cord
How much fluid should I drink?
- Women should drink about 11.5 cups of fluid or 92 ounces daily
- Men should drink about 15.5 cups of fluid or 124 ounces daily
Signs of dehydration
- Thirst
- Dry, cool skin
- Dry or sticky mouth
- Dizziness
- Feeling tired
- Dark yellow urine or not urinating much
Preventing dehydration
- Fill that water bottle — don’t rely on beverages with caffeine or alcohol for hydration
- Take extra care in the heat — increase fluid intake in hot weather
- Change it up — add some fruit to your water for variety
Check the label for hidden sweeteners
Not all beverages are created equal. Many beverages include sweeteners that go by several different names. In order to know if you are drinking a sugar-sweetened beverage, be on the lookout for these ingredients:
- High fructose corn syrup
- Corn syrup
- Fruit juice concentrates
- Honey
- Sugar
- Syrup
- Sucrose
- Dextrose
Sources:
1. USGS, The Water in You: Water and the Human Body, https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body, accessed August 2021.
2. The Wonders of Water, by Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, WebMd, https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/wonders-of-water, accessed August 2021.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Water & Nutrition, https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/nutrition/index.html, accessed August 2021.
4. Mayo Clinic, Nutrition and Healthy Eating, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256, accessed August 2021.
5. Dehydration, MedlinePlus, https://medlineplus.gov/dehydration.html, accessed August 2021.
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rethink Your Drink, https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/drinks.html, accessed August 2021.
1. USGS, The Water in You: Water and the Human Body, https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body, accessed August 2021.
2. The Wonders of Water, by Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, WebMd, https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/wonders-of-water, accessed August 2021.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Water & Nutrition, https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/nutrition/index.html, accessed August 2021.
4. Mayo Clinic, Nutrition and Healthy Eating, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256, accessed August 2021.
5. Dehydration, MedlinePlus, https://medlineplus.gov/dehydration.html, accessed August 2021.
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rethink Your Drink, https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/drinks.html, accessed August 2021.
This information is for general informational purposes only and is not intended nor should be construed as medical advice. Individuals should consult an appropriate medical professional to determine what may be right for them.
July 12, 2022
Internal news
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