Did you know that 75 per cent of people are chronically dehydrated? We’ve all the heard spiel on water and health – “drink eight glasses a day!” “it’s essential to keep hydrated!” – but many of us still aren’t hitting the mark.

That begs the question – exactly how much water do we really need to be well? Water’s essential to health and vitality, brain function, temperature regulation and more. How can we tell if we’re getting enough?

We reached out to three professionals to talk all things hydration and to ask:

How much water should we drink a day?

Just so you know, this is a sponsored post. But the opinions are our own and we researched the topic and came to these conclusions independently.

Lola Berry, Nutritionist:

• I recommend 1 litre for every 22 kg of body weight per day.
• Upping water intake is great to detox. If my clients ask me to pop them on a detox the first thing I do is increase their water consumption.

Dr. Kerith Duncanson, accredited dietitian and ex-international athlete:

• Yes, water plays many important roles in our body. It lubricates our joints, eliminates waste, maintains an even temperature and helps vital organs like our brain and kidneys function.
• Eight glasses of water a day is not the “magic” amount of water for everyone. This recommendation comes from the diet industry in an attempt to manage the dehydration that results from loss of fluids in extreme low carbohydrate diets. Some people need more, some people need less.
• The best way to check if you are consuming enough water? Examine your urine. If it’s clear and a very light shade of yellow, you are drinking the right amount of water. If not, then drink up!

Lara Briden, Naturopathic doctor:

There is no hard and fast rule for water intake. It varies so much from individual to individual depending on body size, activity level, weather, and what kind of food you eat.

• You need a lot more fluid if you exercise.
• You need more on a hot day.
• You need more if you have been eating dry foods (wet foods such as soup and fruit provide a good amount of fluid).
• You need more if you have a fever or stomach bug (because you lose fluid with those conditions).

Urination frequency is a good indicator. You should urinate at least four or six times per day.

Try to start the day with a big drink of water. That’s also a good way to recover from the natural loss of hydration that occurs during sleep.

Well there you go! Although answers vary somewhat between these experts, it’s clear many people aren’t getting the ideal amount of water. Stay tuned for a post next week where we show you how to tell you’re dehydrated!

One last thing to say. As Dr. Chris Kresser, integrative medicine and author of Your Personal Paleo Code, warns in an article on hydration:

“People with health conditions that affect their thirst, such as diabetes or kidney disease, may need more precise estimations of fluid needs on a daily basis. Excessive thirst is a symptom of hyperglycemia, among other diseases, and not necessarily an indication of dehydration. If you find yourself having constant thirst despite drinking regularly, you may have a serious condition that needs treatment from a medical professional. Again, individual needs will vary greatly, so pay attention to your own health.”

Article written by Shayl Prisk for I QUIT SUGAR.
https://iquitsugar.com/3-experts-how-much-water-should-we-drink/