Water intake?

Question
As apart of my diet, water is essential (from what i've learned). Most "doctors" recommend 64 ounces of  water a day, any less and you aren't getting enough.

Thing is, i NEED water. If i don't drink at LEAST 34-40 ounces of water my lips become chapped, mouth becomes dry. I go to walmart and buy gallon jugs of spring water, and 1 gallon normally only lasts me 1-1 1/2 days. Is this normal and healthy to be drinking that much water?

Answer
Hello Matt!

    Thank you for your nutrition question.  Though no single formula fits all people, several guidelines are available to help you estimate how much to drink each day. Delve into your daily fluid needs to learn how your body uses water and what factors may increase ?or decrease ?your water requirements. At least three approaches estimate total fluid (water) needs for healthy, sedentary adults living in a temperate climate.

Replacement approach. The average urine output for adults is 1.5 liters a day. You lose close to an additional liter of water a day through breathing, sweating and bowel movements. Food usually accounts for 20 percent of your fluid intake, so you if you consume 2 liters of water or other beverages a day (a little more than 8 cups), along with your normal diet, you can replace the lost fluids.

Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Another approach to water intake is the "8 x 8 rule" ?drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (about 1.9 liters). The rule could also be stated, "drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day," as all fluids count toward the daily total. Though this approach isn't supported by scientific evidence, many people use this basic rule as a guideline for how much water and other fluids to drink.

Dietary recommendations. The Institute of Medicine recommends that men consume 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day. These guidelines are based on national food surveys that assessed people's average fluid intakes.

You can choose any of these fluid intake approaches to gauge your fluid needs. But your current total fluid intake is probably OK if you drink enough water to quench your thirst, produce a colorless or slightly yellow normal amount of urine, and feel well.

-George Rapitis, Bsc. Nutritionist
www.juiceblend.com  

1. Prev:natural sugars
2. Next:Ulcerative Colities