There is no doubt that drinking water is beneficial to your body but the question is "how much water should I drink per day”.

How Many Ounce of Water Should I Drink?

There are numerous recommendations from different experts about "how much water should you drink per day”. Some say eight 8-ounce glasses, others will tell you half your body weight, etc. However, the amount of water you need daily depends on different factors. The most common recommendations include:

• Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day This is a very popular recommendation known as the 8X8 rule. Although there is no concrete scientific proof that this is how much water should you drink per day, one study indicates that dieters who drank two 8-ounce glasses before every meal, for 12 weeks, lost about five pounds more, than those who didn't. In addition, this will boost your immune system function, improve your digestion, reduce any muscle cramp, moisturize your skin, and keep you alert.
  
  
• Half your body weight in ounces of water per day
  Some nutritionists recommend that healthy people drink half their body weight in ounces daily because it enhances metabolism by up to seven percent, helps with digestion, assists in satiety, prevents water retention, and removes toxins and waste products. If, for instance, you weigh 250 pounds, then drinking 150 ounces of fluid per day is suitable.
  
  
• Just drink when you are thirsty
  A study concluded that drinking too much water could actually cause harm. It can lead to hyponatremia, a condition where sodium levels in the blood are abnormally low. Most healthy people only need to drink water when they are thirsty. This will keep them hydrated and allow them to enjoy all the benefits of water. If you are healthy, you might want to consider drinking whenever you are thirsty and stopping when you have quenched your thirst.
  
  
• According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
  The adequate fluid for men is about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) per day, while the required intake for women is about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) per day. This amount covers all the fluids from water, food and other beverages. About 20% of our daily fluid intake is derived from food, while the remainder is from drinks.

The Perfect Water Temperature for People to Drink

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, water and other drinks should be between 50 and 72°F (degrees Fahrenheit) for optimal hydration.

Additional Sources of Water

It is important to note that there are other ways you can drink water. Fruits like strawberries and grapefruits, vegetables such as cucumber and lettuce, milk, tea, juice, etc. All contain a high amount of water. This suggests that you don't have to depend solely on the water to meet your required fluid intake.

Factors That Affect Water Needs

There are various factors that influence how much water you need in a day and these include:

• Weather
  It becomes necessary to take additional fluid when the weather is hot or humid because dehydration can occur, especially at high altitudes.
  
  
• Exercise
  When you undergo long, intense exercise, there's no doubt that you'll lose body fluid through sweat. Restoring the lost fluid is essential and you should do this by drinking water or a sports drink before, during, and after exercise.
  
  
• Overall Health and Illness
  Whenever you have an illness with a fever, an increased water loss can occur, sometimes up to 200 ml per day. Diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and other conditions such as urinary tract stones, gout, and bladder infections can also cause fluid loss and require increased fluid intake.
  
  
• Ages and Sex
  Children and teenagers require a different amount of water than adults per day. Similarly, men need more water per day than women.

7 Proven Benefits of Drinking Water

Now you have got the answer to "how many ozs of water should I drink”. Are you concerned about the benefits of drinking water? The following are certain benefits of drinking water.

• Maintain the balance of body fluids
  Since 60% of our body is made up of water, a constant supply of water is needed to restore the fluids that we lose through urination, sweating, breathing, and egestion (feces). These restored body fluids play a vital role in our bodies such as regulating our body temperature, digestion, and circulation.
  
  
• Aid weight loss
  Complementing a weight loss diet with water is a proven way to lose weight. Water does not contain any calories and drinking plenty of it makes you feel full, thereby reducing your food intake.
  
  
• Keep skin looking good
  Consistent hydration will make your skin moist and supple and will prevent wrinkles and skin-dryness.
  
  
• Prevent and relieve a headache
  Aside from dry skin, dehydration may also cause headaches in some individuals. Fortunately, adequate hydration may help prevent and relieve headaches.
  
  
• Reduce backaches
  Your spinal cord contains a high amount of water. Drinking water daily is a sure way to reduce and prevent backaches.
  
  
• Treat kidney stones
  Taking a high amount of water daily will not only help prevent the formation of stones but can also help dilute the concentration of clumped minerals that form them and enhance kidney function. On the other hand, drinking very little water increases the risk of developing kidney stones.
  
  
• Prevent heart disease
  If you take a proper amount of water daily, it will improve your cardiovascular health and prevent any complications.
  If you ask: "how much water should I drink per day”, the article has given the answer. There are many benefits to drinking water. The moderate amount is the key. Drink too little or too much both have side effects. Drinking too little water can lead to hydropenia, tiredness, kidney stones and headache. Drinking too much water can lead to hyponatremia, stomach irritation, liver-related problems, low potassium levels and excessive urination. So drinking a moderate amount of water per day is a wise choice. If you want to find more information about how much water should you drink a day, please click here.