How many water bottles a day should you drink

Drinking more water is something most of us feel like we should do, though whether we actually get around to doing it is another matter entirely. That’s why there are water bottles with measurements on the side, apps to track your hydration, and influencers claiming water is the way to clear skin and weight loss.

But even if it sometimes feels like it, the hydration craze isn’t just hype. Drinking enough water is a doctor-recommended way to keep yourself healthy and functional.

Do you find yourself asking questions like “How many water bottles should I drink a day?” or “How much water is too much?” If so, keep reading. We’ll go over the answers to these questions and more below.

The Benefits of Adequate Hydration

While drinking plenty of water won’t miraculously clear up your acne or help you lose 10 lbs overnight, it does have numerous benefits. These include:

• Improved digestion
• Body temperature regulation
• Helps avoid excess snacking and feeling hungry
• Blood pressure regulation
• Increased energy and concentration

More than half of your body is made of water, so it makes sense that not drinking enough could be problematic.

Even mild dehydration can have negative consequences. Research shows that even in young adults, dehydration can cause decreased cognitive performance, memory problems, and trouble learning. Other consequences can include dry skin, muscle cramps, fatigue, and headaches.

How Many Water Bottles Should I Drink a Day?

The average water consumption per person per day often doesn’t meet medical guidelines. However, there’s no set recommended amount as each person’s water needs are unique. While the standard 8×8 rule (eight ounces of water, eight times a day) is a good place to start, there’s a more accurate way to find out how many water bottles you should be drinking.

Some experts say that an average person’s daily fluid requirements can be found with a simple equation. Multiply your weight, in pounds, by 2/3 (67%). The answer is the approximate number of fluid ounces you should drink each day. This number increases by 12 ounces for every 30 minutes of strenuous activity.

Let’s use someone who weighs 150 lbs and exercises for one hour each day as an example. 2/3 of 150 is 100, and 12 times 2 is 24, so they should be drinking a combined total of 124 ounces of water per day. That’s the equivalent of almost four full 32 oz water bottles—a lot more than the 8×8 rule recommends.

How to Drink More Water

If you have a hard time remembering to hydrate throughout the day, making a water-drinking schedule can help you stay on track. Make a schedule that fits with your normal activities. Maybe you’ll decide to take a water, bathroom, and stretch break every day at 10 am, lunchtime, and 3 pm while at work.

If you’d rather practice drinking water all day long instead of at specific times, try to make it coincide with other frequent activities. Try taking a sip every time you send an email, answer a call, or check your phone. Or, set a timer for every 30 minutes and take a drink when it goes off.

After a few weeks of sticking with it, drinking water on schedule turns a chore you have to remember into an automatic habit.

Does It Matter What Kind of Water I Drink?

Some people find themselves always in search of “the perfect water” while others are comfortable drinking straight out of the tap. Others refuse to drink plain water at all, opting instead for flavored drink mixes or sparkling water. Which one, if any, is healthier?

As long as you’re staying hydrated, there isn’t a huge difference. Even so, not all waters are created equal.

Some people find that drinking tap water makes their stomach upset due to the high mineral content. In that case, getting a reusable filtering water bottle or pitcher may help. Unless your well or city water is deemed unsafe to drink, though, it’s okay to drink out of the tap.

When it comes to drinking other things instead of water, the most important thing to watch out for is sugar content. If you’re reaching for fruit juices, sports drinks, and flavored waters, you might be consuming a lot more empty calories than you realize. Also, caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea are diuretics, meaning they can dehydrate you when you drink them.

The good news for water-haters is that eating foods with high water content can help you stay hydrated as well. Instead of reaching for sugary beverages, try snacking on fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, apples, and citrus.

A Word of Caution

While you’re working toward a new level of hydration, remember that there is such thing as too much water. Someone drinking water until they feel like they’re going to burst is someone who’s putting themselves in harm’s way.

Ingesting large amounts of water in a short period can lead to a condition called water poisoning or water intoxication. If your cells absorb too much water, it can dilute the concentration of important ions like sodium and potassium and make the cells swell up. This can cause brain edema, seizures, and even death.

As long as you pace yourself and avoid drinking more than a liter of water each hour, your kidneys will be able to process the fluid intake and keep your electrolytes in balance.

Staying Healthy and Hydrated

Maybe the most important question isn’t “how many water bottles should I drink a day?” That answer can vary from person to person, so try to think about taking small steps to drink water more regularly instead. You may even end up feeling healthier and more energetic!

For more advice on how to live your healthiest, happiest life, make sure to check out the other articles on our lifestyle section.

Trevor Anderson wrote this article on behalf of FreeUp. FreeUp is the fastest-growing freelance marketplace in the US. FreeUp only accepts the top 1% of freelance applicants. Click here to get access to the top freelancers in the world.  

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