About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluid a day is recommended for women, with approximately 20% of the daily intake coming from food and other beverages. Most people need four to six glasses of water a day, and it's important to drink a glass of water before every meal to prevent dehydration and ensure that your body has the fluids it needs. However, if you have certain health conditions or are taking certain medications, it's possible to drink too much water. In these cases, talk to your doctor about how much water you should drink.
For healthy people, drinking two to three cups of water per hour is generally recommended, or more if you sweat a lot. It's important to keep hydrated throughout the day, so make sure to keep a glass of water or a reusable bottle close to and within your line of sight as a constant visual reminder to take a sip. Water plays many roles in the body, such as maintaining electrolyte balance and blood pressure, lubricating joints, regulating body temperature and promoting cellular health. If you're concerned about the quality or safety of your tap water, consider purchasing a water filter. You can also buy powdered or liquid water boosters to add to water, but keep in mind that many of these products contain sugar, artificial sweeteners, or other additives that can harm your health. Of course, there are plenty of other beverage options besides water, and many of them can be part of a healthy diet.
However, it can be difficult to drink water on a regular basis, especially if you're busy, if you forget to drink frequently, or if you don't like the taste of water. You can get some fluids through the foods you eat, especially foods that are high in water such as fruits and vegetables. Water is the body's main chemical component and represents about 50-70% of your body weight. To make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day, fill up your cup as soon as you get to work and then at the end of each hour simply drink the remaining water and refill it. Sports drinks are an important part of athletics and big business around the world, but some debate whether they are more hydrating than water.
