A Rough Guide
If you are still unsure and would prefer to have a specific amount, the European Food Safety Authority recommends that:
Women – should drink 8 glasses of water a day, approximately 1.6 liters.
Men – should go for 10 glasses, about 2 liters a day.
Signs and Symptoms
Dehydration can be serious and caretakers should keep an eye out for:
- Thirst
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Dry or sunken eyes
- Dizziness
- Lethargy
- Dark urine
- Low blood pressure
- Weak and / or rapid pulse
- Confusion
Do all fluids count?
Although water is the best, other fluids such as juice or sports drinks are good for you as well. However, beverages containing alcohol should be avoided. Caffeine can cause you to lose some water, but only if you consume more than 400 mg per day.
Can One Drink Too Much?
Yes. It is rare, but drinking too much water is known as water intoxication. It usually occurs only when too much water is consumed over a short amount of time.
Ideas
Some of you many complain that water is tasteless, making it hard to gulp down every so often. Instead of buying flavored bottled water at the store, why not try adding slices of an orange, lemon, or lime in your water? To help you start out, here are some healthy recipes:
- Ginger – If you steep ginger in hot water, it can also be helpful when you have menstrual cramps or indigestion.
- Mint leaves – Try this as a refreshing summer drink.
- Cucumber – Many believe that it aids in detoxification of your system as well.
- Lemongrass – Has medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and analgesic.
- Parsley – May have cleansing properties and is often used in detoxification of kidneys.
Although naturally flavored water is better than store-bought ones, keep in mind that excess herbs such as parsley, ginger, or mint may have an undesired effect. If you have any doubts or plan to change your routine, remember to consult with your doctor or healthcare team to ensure that it is in your best interests.
[expand title=”References“]
Spero D. Water for diabetes. Diabetes self-management. Accessed 5/23/2017.
Spero D. Drink more water. Diabetes self-management. Accessed 5/23/2017.
Edelman D. How water impacts blood sugars. Diabetes Daily. Accessed 5/23/2017.
Water and diabetes. Diabetes.Co.UK. Accessed 5/23/2017.
Shaw M. 32 natural ways to flavor water. Smarter Fitter. Accessed 5/23/2017.
Top 10 health benefits of lemongrass. Top 10 Home Remedies. Accessed 5/23/2017.
How to use parsley and lemon to detox your kidneys. Step to Health. Accessed 5/23/2017.
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