There is one rule about hydration that we feel needs to be erased from memory, and it is the 8×8 rule. This common rule encourages people to drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water per day. Although this can help a handful of people stay hydrated, hydration needs vary from person to person. If you are concerned about your daily water intake, or how much water you should be drinking, you clicked on the right article. 

Proper hydration helps support metabolism, cognitive function, energy, skin health, and exercise performance. In this article, we will explain how much water you should drink every day, and how to tell if you are dehydrated or not. 

How Much Water Should You Drink Every Day?

There is no one-size-fits all answer to this question. It all depends on age, activity level, and overall health. Understanding your individual needs can help ensure you drink a sufficient amount of water every day. On average, a healthy adult male requires about 125 ounces per day, while a healthy adult female requires about 91 ounces per day. Those recommendations can change depending on age, weight, activity level, and lifestyle. A simple rule is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily. If you are an active person or live in a hot climate, you will likely need to drink more water.

For children, water needs are lower, and the general recommendations are as follows:

• Infants (0-6 months): Typically get hydration from breast milk or formula
• Children (1-3 years): Roughly 4 cups (32 ounces) of water per day
• Children (4-8 years): About 5 cups (40 ounces) of water per day
• Children (9-13 years): About 7-8 cups (56-64 ounces) of water per day
• Teenagers (14-18 years): Between 8-11 cups (64-88 ounces) of water per day
• Adults (19+ years): For men, about 12.5 cups (100 ounces) of water per day; for women, about 9 cups (72 ounces) of water per day

What Do Health Officials Recommend?

Health authorities provide some recommendations, but, once again, there is no single recommendation that applies to everyone. The Institute of Medicine recommends people drink between nine and 13 cups of water per day for adults. Compare that to Harvard Medical School suggesting four to six cups for healthy people. That is a very low number to sufficiently hydrate the body, and that doesn’t even take weight into account. There are other factors that influence daily water intake, such as:

• Diet: If you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages or less hydrating drinks, you may need to drink more water. The reason for this is because you urinate more frequently, losing water in the process. Salty, spicy, and sugary foods can also increase your need for water, and you may need to consume more water if you do not eat hydrating foods. 
• Activity level: People who exercise and are physically active require more water than people who are sedentary or moderately active. 
• Overall health: There are certain medical conditions that cause greater water loss or dehydration. Diabetics, for example, tend to require more water and dealing with diarrhea can cause fluid loss. 
• Location: Living in the mountains at higher elevations, or in hot, humid, or dry areas may require you to drink more water. Additionally, seasons and temperatures play a role in how much water you need. 
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Women who are either pregnant or breastfeeding

Benefits Of Drinking Water

You need water for nearly every single bodily function. Water works to regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, aid digestion, remove waste, and transport nutrients. When you are properly hydrated, you can experience better cognitive function, including better alertness and memory. Water also helps break down food in the digestive tract and aids nutrient absorption. Sufficient water intake supports healthy kidney function by aiding waste removal. Additionally, drinking enough water can help maintain skin elasticity. 

Signs Of Dehydration

If you are thirsty, then the body is telling you that you need water. It is also a sign that you are partially dehydrated. Other indicators of dehydration include:

• If you pinch your skin and it doesn’t return quickly to normal, you may be slightly dehydrated.
• Pale yellow or clear urine typically indicates good hydration, while dark yellow or amber-colored urine may indicate dehydration.
• Headaches are a common symptom of dehydration
• Dry mouth or skin can indicate that you need more water. 

Understanding how much water you should drink every day is essential to maintain your overall health. Listen to your body and drink water accordingly, increasing water intake if you are more physically active.

Vincent Stevens

Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.