Most of us have heard the recommendation to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day, but few know why getting enough water is so vital to our health.

Did You Know...

Your body is composed of 1/2 to 4/5 water, depending on how much body fat you have.
Water's role in the body is numerous and often overlooked.
Water removes wastes.
Water regulates body temperature.
Water carries nutrients and oxygen to your cells.
Water cushions your joints.
Water helps prevent constipation.
Water lessens the burden on your kidneys and liver by removing toxins from the body.
Water helps dissolve vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to make them accessible to your body.

Dehydration

Lack of water leads to dehydration. Even slight dehydration can sap your energy and make you feel lethargic. If you wait to drink water until you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. You lose about 10 cups of fluids every day through sweating and urine.

Water is the best choice for replacing lost fluids although other beverages and some foods count too. Beware of relying on beverages containing caffeine to get your water. Caffeine is a diuretic that actually causes your body to lose more water, so make sure non-caffeinated beverages, first and foremost, are your beverages of choice.

Easy Ways to Sneak More Water into your Day

Keep a chilled bottle of water with you and sip it throughout the day.
Have a glass of water when you get up in the morning and when you go to bed at night.
Have at least one glass of water at every meal.
If plain water does not appeal to you, add a splash of fruit juice or a lemon or lime wedge to your water to give it some zing!

Getting Enough Water in a Day

At first, getting 64 ounces of water a day can seem overwhelming, but once you get used to drinking more water daily, the eight glasses will go by very quickly. Eight glasses a day is only a starting point: the bare minimum your body needs. If you exercise or drink caffeinated beverages, you need even more fluids daily.