Hydration is essential to maintaining proper body functions. Unfortunately, many people fail to consume adequate amounts of water each day, and dehydration can have a devastating effect on the body. Try these tips to up your daily water intake.
Why Is Hydration So Important?
The body’s tissues, cells and organs need water to function correctly. Water aids the body in a variety of ways, including regulating body temperature, joint lubrication, and eliminating waste.
The amount of water each person needs varies – eight 8-ounce glasses of water isn’t appropriate for everyone. Healthy individuals can typically keep their bodies adequately hydrated by consuming water whenever thirst occurs, however individuals with certain medical conditions may require more water. If you have questions about how much water you should be drinking, consult your doctor.
Tips to Consume More Water
- Always keep a bottle of water with you if you are leaving home. Reusable water bottles can be refilled, lowering costs.
- If you find it hard to drink water regularly, try adding a slice of citrus or infusing your water with other fruits.
- Drink water when you are hungry – thirst can often be confused with hunger.
- Keep to a schedule – drink a glass of water in the morning, with all meals, and before you go to sleep.
- Drink a glass of water instead of soda or other drinks when dining out.
- Eat foods with high water content, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, spinach, celery, and green peppers.
- Drink tea that is not sweetened.
- Alternate your beverages if you consume coffee or soda – drink a glass of water in between.
Water is essential to the health of all Hoosiers and Indiana American Water delivers reliable, clean water each day to nearly one in five Indiana residents. To learn more, visit our Water Learning Center at https://amwater.com/inaw/water-information/water-learning-center.
