Is staying hydrated healthy?

We all know that staying hydrated is good for our health, but do you understand why? Surprisingly, many people don’t. In fact, most people are likely to be considered “mildly dehydrated” on a given day because they aren’t getting enough fluids, even though they think they are.

First things first: why is hydration important?

Our body is made up of mostly water because we need it to maintain proper cellular function. When we don’t regularly replenish our water levels by consuming fluids, our body’s ability to function on a cellular level can be seriously impaired. To combat this, adults should be consuming about 64-80 ounces of water every day — or 8-10 ten-ounce glasses.

Part of the problem comes in when people are trying to lose weight. Exercise and sweating causes us to lose more water in our system, of course, but even when you aren’t active, you should be drinking water. We lose moisture every day from urination and even breathing, so there’s never a day when you shouldn’t be consuming water regularly. People often hear the term “water weight” and assume it means weight that comes from the water in your system at a given time, so they choose to drink less. Unfortunately, this actually has the opposite effect on your weight — dehydration causes you to retain water, which increases your water weight gain. This is also why you may notice your weight fluctuates after eating salty foods. Salt dehydrates us, which causes water retention as our body tries to compensate.

What’s the solution?

Drink more water. The easiest way to determine whether or not you’re dehydrated is by checking your urine every time you use the toilet. It should never smell bad or be dark or cloudy, which are all indicators of dehydration. While some vitamins and supplements can change the color of your urine, for the most part it should be pale yellow or straw-colored if you’re getting enough fluids.

Keep a water bottle with you throughout the day, especially if you’re exercising or the weather is warm. Pregnancy and nursing also have an impact on your water levels because you’re producing more blood, amniotic fluid, or milk, so make sure you take that into account and consume more staying hydrated as necessary. There are many apps for smart devices to help you keep track of your water intake, so don’t be afraid to test them out!