It is believed that all adults need to drink about 2 liters of water per day. However, this is not the exact number that all people need because the ideal amount varies according to the person's weight and also with other factors such as active or sedentary life and season, since in the summer, because of the sweat, you need to ingest more water.
The most correct way to know the ideal amount of water that each person really needs is to calculate according to the weight of each person. See the table below.
Adults | Amount of water per kg |
Young active until 17 years old | 40 ml per kg |
18 to 55 years | 35 ml per kg |
55 to 65 years | 30 ml per kg |
More than 66 years | 25 ml per kg |
People who practice physical activity need to take even more than about 500 ml to 1 liter of water for every hour of physical activity, especially if they perspire a lot during training.
It should not be more water than the ideal amount for you because the consumption of excess water is bad, especially in cases of kidney failure or fluid retention because it can impair the functioning of the kidneys. Find out the ideal quantity in these cases here.
Thirst is the first symptom of dehydration, so it is not necessary to expect thirst to drink water. Other signs of dehydration are dry mouth and dark yellow, strong-smelling urine. If the person has these symptoms, it is recommended to drink water, saline, homemade serum or coconut water and if symptoms persist, a medical consultation is advised.
Why should you drink water every day?
Drinking water helps you to lose weight, treat the trapped intestine and improve the quality of the skin. In addition, water is very important for metabolism because all the chemical reactions of the body need water, as well as the production of enzymes and saliva for digestion.
Drinking water in fasting does well because it stimulates the gastrointestinal system after a long period of fasting, improving the functioning of the intestines.
Water is vital for controlling body temperature, digestion, blood circulation and the formation of urine. Although juices, soups and fruits contain water, it is very important to drink water in its natural form, because the body loses water when we breathe, through feces, sweat and urine.
See a complete list of all the benefits of water to the body.
Techniques for drinking more water
A good strategy for drinking water is to have a 2 liter bottle of mineral water nearby. Note what time and amount of water you drank may also be helpful in raising awareness of the need to drink water.
See other tips for drinking water during the day:
How to drink flavored water
Flavoring the water with lemon, cucumber or mint leaves is an excellent tip for anyone who has difficulty drinking pure water. Therefore, this is the ideal technique for those who prefer to drink soft drinks when thirsty, for example.
In addition, flavored water acquires the benefits of added food and for this reason can have several benefits from increasing the consumption of vitamins to helping to lose weight. Some examples of flavored waters include:
Food flavoring | How to make | What is it for |
Lemon or Orange Water | Add 1 lemon, cut into pieces in 1 liter of water. You can also add the juice of half a lemon to get stronger, if necessary. | Lemon and orange are great for detoxifying the body and eliminating toxins. In addition, they contain vitamin C that strengthens the body. |
Cucumber Water | Put 7 to 8 slices of cucumber in 1 liter of water. To give more flavor you can also use some mint leaves. | The cucumber helps to refresh on warmer days, avoiding dehydration. It also prevents fluid retention due to its diuretic action. |
Water with Ginger | Leave 4 to 5 ginger slices in 1 liter of water. Add 2 or 3 lemon slices if you find the taste too strong. | Ginger is a thermogenic root that boosts metabolism and is therefore excellent for anyone who needs to lose weight and burn fat. |
Eggplant Water | Add one diced eggplant to the cubes in 1 liter of water. | The eggplant has antioxidants that delay the aging of cells, plus it is rich in fibers that help treat constipation. |
Water with Camomile Cidreira | Put 2 tablespoons of the dried herb into 1 liter of water and co before drinking. | These plants have potent relaxing action that decrease excess stress and anxiety. |
The ideal is to prepare the flavored water the night before so that it acquires more flavor and benefits from the food that has been added. It should always strain the water before drinking and can put in the refrigerator to stay cooler, especially on very hot days.