Since childhood, we have been hearing about the importance of water not only in our body but also in our daily life. In our childhood days, we might have heard instructions from our elders about having more than 10 glass of water each day for leading a healthy life. Recent researches and doctors advise us to have not less than 15 glass of water daily in case of males and 12 glasses for females. However this varies from person to person depending upon which part of Earth, an individual resides, what his diet comprises of and how one leads his lifestyle.
Let us consider our own human body, which is majorly comprises of water (approximately 60%) and we constantly loose it either in form of urine, sweat or even in process of normal breathing. Therefore it is important to compensate the loss volume by equal or more volume intake. Hence, drinking water is mandatory not only for existence but smooth metabolism.
Water loss may take place under special conditions and directly corresponds to the environmental or climatic change. For example, a sportsman who exercises a lot needs sufficiently more volume of water intake as compared to an average man. Therefore it is recommended to have sufficient amount of water before and after the exercise. The quantity may again vary but on an average 2-4 litres for the occasion would be enough. Not only this, change in the climates and weather may also influence our water intake. For example it is common to sense thirst in summers as compared to winters because of the fact that water loose is at a high rate from the body in form of sweat and perspiration. In this case frequent consumption of water along with minerals salt and essential elements are a must. It is observed that the consumption of water may increase by 27% on an average due to climatic change.
Water loss is also evident from the body under influence of any special condition such as a disease or fever. Disease like diarrhoea or vomiting causes huge loss of water from the body. Therefore it is common to find patients administered with saline solutions for this sort of compensation in the hospitals or nursing homes. In case of women especially during pregnancy and lactating mothers, water intake becomes all the more important. It is advised to have atleast 1 litre of water every 2.5 hours so that the body does not get dehydrated.
While mentioning quantity of water intake, it is also important to analyse whether one is having sufficient water to avoid dehydration. A simple process to judge is the colour of the discharged urine. If the colour turns to be yellowish (which is due to excess of bilirubin in urine), then it does indicates the inadequate water intake by the body.
The best thing to drink water is that it causes hydration which in turn has a lot of implications and positive consequences. Taking sufficient volume of water helps in body detoxification, joint lubrication, curbing appetite, prevents or even heal headaches, helps to prevent constipation. Not only this, it may further help in mental well-being.
As already said, quantity of water intake is an controversial topic which may vary from person to person but on an average a principle of 8X8 applies to an average individual, which means to have 8 ounce of water 8 times a day would be sufficient for an average water intake for an individual living in moderately temperate climatic region of country. However many doctors suggest that diet of any person comprising of fruits and vegetable like oranges etc. have enough water and there might not be a requirement to extra intake to achieve the daily water consumption goal.