The water we consume facilitates breathing, digestion, lubricating joints, removing waste, and maintaining homeostasis. It’s essential for virtually every single bodily function, but how do we know if we’re drinking enough water? The old “eight glasses a day” is a fairly good baseline, but the reality is that individual water needs vary greatly based on weight, height, exercise, diet, and lifestyle. Here’s a few hints that your body is craving more water.
Dehydration manifests itself first and foremost in feeling thirsty, but there are also some more sneaky signals your body is craving hydration. Headaches, brain fog, fatigue, and dizziness are all symptoms of dehydration. You may also notice your urine is a dark yellow color or experience stiffness or cramping in your muscles. Lastly, dry skin and chapped lips are other telltale signs.
More contemporary studies have estimated that the appropriate amount of water for adults living in temperate climates is 11.5 cups a day for women and 15.5 cups for men. This doesn’t have to all come from water, however. Fruits and vegetables with high water contents, like broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, watermelon, and grapes, are all great sources of food-based hydration.
Looking to boost hydration? Add these ingredients to your water to make it more hydrating.
