How much water does a person need each day to be healthy? Well that depends on several factors including your activity level, the weather, and even clothing choices. For most people the recommendation is 6-8 eight ounce servings per day.
One of the easiest tests to see if you are properly hydrated is to check the color of your urine. You should see a light yellow to clear color- if you see something darker, then drink up. Like our title says, only drinking when you are thirsty can mean you are already slightly dehydrated.
You need even more water when you are being active or when it is hot outside. When you work out your body produces sweat to help keep you cool. It is important that you replace the water you lose through this process. If you have ever weighed yourself before and immediately after exercise, you may have noticed significant and almost instantaneous weight loss. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this but those pounds and ounces are not necessarily gone forever. Much of that weight loss you see can be attributed to lost fluids through sweat. It is important that you replace the water you have sweat out. Be sure to sip on water while being active to avoid dehydration. If you stop sweating during exercise, this can be a sign of heatstroke and dehydration.
Water is the best choice for staying hydrated because it has zero calories. You can help maintain a healthy body weight by choosing water instead of drinks high in sugar like sports drinks, soda, or fruit juice.