How Much Water Do You Really Need?
Water is important. It makes up approximately 60% of your body weight. How much you need on a daily basis is a matter of debate. The Institute of Medicine recommends about 9 cups for women and 13 cups for men. Then there’s the 8 x 8 rule where you drink a total of eight 8 ounce glasses. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences offers a very simple strategy: Drink when you are thirsty.
Researchers from the Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Australia’s Monash University had volunteers drink large amounts of water after exercise, when they were thirsty, later in the day and when they weren’t thirsty. Using MRI scans, they determined that drinking water later in the day when subjects were not thirsty was three times more difficult compared to drinking water after exercise. Listen to your body and drink when thirsty.
