Is Drinking 8 Glasses of Water Enough to Stay Healthy?

Posted on: Apr 4, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Is Drinking 8 Glasses of Water Enough to Stay Healthy?

Hydration 101: debunking the 8-glasses-a-day rule

We have all heard that we need to drink 8 glasses of water daily to stay hydrated. Is this a hard and fast rule? No! The key to staying hydrated is more complex than drinking 8 glasses of water daily. As with any other human need, water intake also varies from person to person.

In this blog, let us understand the factors affecting our water intake needs, signs of dehydration, alternative sources of hydration and more!

Factors Influencing Water Intake Needs

Your family health insurance may be a one-insurance-fits-all. However, your hydration needs are far from one-size-fits-all. Here are the factors that influence our water intake needs.

• Personal Attributes:

Your age, gender, and weight are all primary factors influencing your water intake needs. A child would not need as much water as an adult to stay hydrated. Similarly, a person with a higher weight and body fat composition might need more water to stay hydrated than a person with a lower weight.

• Activity Levels:

People with a sedentary lifestyle may not need as much water as an athlete or a person with an active lifestyle. More fluids are necessary to replenish the water content lost through sweat and exertion.

• Health Conditions:

People with health conditions like diabetes or kidney disease may have specific fluid intake requirements. Moreover, certain medications may need you to consume more water to avoid side effects or complications. Ensure you have health insurance to cover such illnesses.

• Environmental Conditions:

Environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, and altitude, can influence our hydration needs. We all need more water during the summer than in winter. Similarly, high altitudes can lead to increased respiratory water loss.

Is Drinking 8 Glasses of Water Enough?

8 glasses of water might be too much for one person while being too little for another. You need to assess your hydration status to ensure you are not dehydrated.

Let us now help you understand the signs of dehydration.

Signs of Dehydration

• Thirst and Dry Mouth:

Do you recall that dry feeling in your mouth that makes you want to chug down a whole bottle of water? Yeah, that is your body's way of saying, "Hey, I need some hydration, please!"

• Fatigue:

If you feel tired and sluggish frequently, you are probably low on fluids. Your energy levels dip when you are dehydrated, leading to continuous fatigue.

• Concentrated Urine:

If your urine is darker than usual and smells stronger, that's a sign that you are not drinking enough water. Your body is trying to conserve fluids, so your urine gets more concentrated.

When you notice any of these signs, ensure that you consciously make an effort to drink more water.

Alternative Sources of Hydration

Here are a few other sources of hydration.

• Fruits and vegetables:

Cucumbers, watermelon, oranges, and other watery fruits and vegetables are a good source of hydration if you are tired of drinking glasses of water.

• Beverages:

Fresh fruit juices, tender coconut water, and other such beverages can also be a tasty source of hydration.

So, try to include these in your diet!

Risks of Overhydration

While dehydration poses significant health risks, overhydration can also be problematic. Drinking excessive amounts of water, particularly during intense exercise, can lead to a condition called hyponatremia, where the sodium levels in the blood become dangerously diluted. It is essential to strike a balance and avoid excessive fluid intake.

Conclusion

So, in a nutshell, hydration needs vary based on personal factors like age and activity levels. Drinking 8 glasses of water may or may not satisfy your water intake needs. Pay attention to signs of dehydration, and remember, there are alternative sources of hydration beyond chugging water. Balance is vital to staying hydrated and healthy.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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