Hydration: How Much Water Should You Drink?

Drink more water and lose weight!

Water takes up almost 2/3 of the planet and makes up more than half of your total body weight. Muscles are made up of 72% water. Your brain and heart are comprised of 73% water. Your lungs are 83% water and your skin is 64% water. In fact, even your bones are comprised of 31% water. I'm sure you're wondering, "How much water should I drink each day?"

Every cell, tissue and organ in your body need water to function. New research suggests that the daily intake should be 11 glasses of water for women and 16 glasses of water for men. Plus, if you live in a dry or hot climate, or are trying to lose weight, more water is encouraged.

Water Can Help With Weight Loss

But, don’t wait to be thirsty to know if you’re dehydrated. Water is something you need to focus on throughout the day. Fill up a glass and keep it at your desk or try bottled water.

In a study at University of Washington, drinking one 8-oz glass of water eliminated hunger pains in 98% of the subjects tested.

You don’t have to drink just water to get hydrated. Water can come from tea, coffee, fruits, vegetables, milk and even soup. However, water is zero calories and the common temperature (room temperature) is optimal for hydration.

One of the best indicators of proper hydration is clear urine. This is a sign of good hydration. If you have darker urine, you need to drink more water.

How many glasses of water do you drink in a day?