We mostly drink water when we are thirsty. Sometimes you may be thirstier, such as when you wake up, eat savoury foods, or work out. How much water does your body actually need per day?
The human body loses a lot of water with urine and sweat, which is why it is important to maintain the level of water in your body both by proper nutrition and drinking water. The body’s water level should always be the same, but when the body does not have enough water, we feel thirsty and drink water. Although juice and other soft drinks contain a lot of water, it is best to drink plain water with no sugar or other additives.
Do you know your body’s water percentage?
- Young people’s bodies are as much as 65% water! The amount of water in your body is high because your cells are made of it. Water also has an important role in your metabolism. But if your body is 65% water, how can you ensure a stable water level to feel good?
- The best way to slake your thirst is to drink water, which you should do as much as your body needs. Water consumption depends on your physical activity and diet. In addition to water or other drinks, our body gets water with food as well.
- Every day, we consume around 1-1.2 litres of water with food (from fruits and vegetables, soups, tea, coffee, and other drinks). For example, cucumbers contain up to 97%, milk 89% and potatoes 79% of water. In addition to the water they get from food, a person with a healthy diet should drink 2-3 glasses of water every day (around 600-700 ml).
Most healthy people satisfy their daily need for fluids based on thirst. There is no exact recommendation of how much water healthy people should consume per day, as individual needs vary significantly and are dependent on physical activity and climate. Drink when your body asks for it!
What else should you know about water?
- Plain and mineral water do not give you energy but flavoured and/or vitaminised water may contain a small amount of sugar and therefore provide energy. Read the packaging!
- Constant and excessive water consumption strains your heart and kidneys.
- When drinking mineral water, it is important to check its mineral content.
- Slightly salty water, which restores the body’s salt reserves, is the perfect drink when you are sweating.
- Caffeinated coffee, tea, and cola drinks, as well as alcohol, increase the body’s water output, as they accelerate kidney function and increase sweating.
Written by the youth information portal Teeviit based on the source of the National Institute for Health Development at www.toitumine.ee.
The National Institute for Health Development is a public research and development institution which conducts research on public health, disease prevention programmes and activities and promotes health.
Published on the website of Teeviit in 2021.
