Most people are unaware that the human body is made up of approximately 70% water. This needs to be maintained for our body to function properly.

The amount of water we need each day has been argued and debated for years. The age old advice was that, if you look at a 24-hour period, you should drink 8 glasses per day. However, advice has evolved to consider a person’s size versus recommended intake. If you take your body weight in KG and multiply by 37, you’ll get the amount you need in millilitres per day. For example, if you are 100kg you should drink 3.7 litres per day.

On an average day, we lose 2.5 litres of water a day through perspiration (sweating), inhalation (breathing) and urination. However, if you are eating a well-balanced diet of fruit and vegetables the water from this food recovers about one litre.

Water in its most natural form is generally the best way for hydrating the body, as fizzy drinks and other caffeinated soft drinks contain lots of sugar and caffeine and are generally low in nutritional value. Squeezing half a fresh lemon into the water will alkalise any acidic elements in the water and help with the body’s natural detoxification process.

 

6 benefits of drinking more water:

• Water is good for your skin. The moisture will reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles!
• Keeping hydrated helps with weight loss, as it suppresses appetite and aides metabolism. Next time you think you are hungry in the middle of the day, try drinking a glass of water!
• Water helps muscles rehydrate, get stronger & is good for your joints.
• Good hydration improves concentration levels & performance.
• Drinking enough water reduces fatigue and headaches caused by dehydration.

Don’t try to suddenly increase your water intake dramatically; Take it gradually and you will find it much easier to adapt.