In honor of the hydration challenge, here are some benefits why drinking water is so good for you!  Most people’s fluid needs are met by drinking when thirsty or with a meal.  Yes, you can get water from other beverages and the foods you eat, but that is not enough.  Below are some tips from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention on why you should drink more water.

Water helps your body:

• Keep your temperature normal
• Lubricate and cushion joints
• Protect your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues
• Get rid of wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements

Your body needs more water when you are:

• In hot climates
• More physically active
• Running a fever
• Having diarrhea or vomiting

If you think you are not getting enough water, these tips may help:

• Carry a water bottle when you are at work or running errands.
• Freeze some water bottles and take one with you for ice-cold water all day long.
• Choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. Substituting water for one 20-ounce sugar sweetened soda will save you about 240 calories.
• Choose water when eating out.
• Add a wedge of lime or lemon to your water.

How to calculate the amount of water you should drink each day:

• Take your weight and multiple it by ½.   That will give you how many ounces of water you should drink if you are sedentary.
• Add 12 ounces of water for every 30 minutes of activity. Activity can count as exercise, walking, cores, etc.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you need to increase your fluid intake by 24 to 32 ounces depending on how much you weigh

https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/nutrition/index.html
https://www.umsystem.edu/newscentral/totalrewards/2014/06/19/how-to-calculate-how-much-water-you-should-drink/