It comes up all too often in conversation during physical therapy sessions - have you been drinking enough water today!? Research has shown that drinking half your body weight in ounces, per day, is required to stay hydrated and keep your body functioning well. Say you are 200 pounds ... you would need to drink 100 ounces of water per day. That breaks down to approximately six 16 oz bottles or twelve 8 oz glasses.
Why is this so important? Our body is composed of about 60% water and is therefore dependent on it for survival. Water is used to lubricate joints, regulate temperature, rid waste, aid with digestion, and help with sleep, among many other functions. Typical signs of dehydration include dry mouth, decreased or dark-colored urine, dry skin, fatigue, decreased sweating, and dizziness.
Not quite convinced yet that water is all that amazing, think of it this way ... water makes up 75-80% of the brain, 75% of muscle, 90% of blood cells, 85% of the lungs, and so on. Those are pretty incredible numbers reinforcing the benefits of water.
So, remember ... Hydrate before you Dehydrate.
-Angeline Petersen, PT, DPT