IT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU LIKE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, WATER IS USUALLY THE DRINK OF CHOICE FOR SAMANTHA REYES. IF I’M TIRED, I DRINK WATER. UM, IF I’M HUNGRY, I DRINK WATER. AND DEFINITELY IF I’M TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT. IT’S TRUE. WATER IS ESSENTIAL TO GOOD HEALTH, AND WITH THE POPULARITY OF BIG STAINLESS STEEL CUPS, MANY PEOPLE ARE FINDING IT MUCH EASIER. EVEN COOL, TO DRINK A LOT OF IT. BUT HOW MUCH WATER DO YOU ACTUALLY NEED TO STAY PROPERLY HYDRATED? THERE’S NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL ANSWER. IT DEPENDS ON A VARIETY OF FACTORS, SUCH AS BODY SIZE, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND GENDER. MOST MEN NEED ABOUT 15.5 CUPS OF FLUIDS A DAY, AND ABOUT 11 AND ONE THIRD CUPS FOR WOMEN. BUT HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS IF YOU CAN’T STOMACH DRINKING THAT MUCH WATER FROM A BIG TUMBLER, ALL DAY LONG, THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHER WAYS TO STAY HYDRATED. NEARLY EVERYTHING WE EAT HAS WATER, THINGS LIKE SMOOTHIES, SOUPS, COFFEE, TEA. THEY ALL SUPPLY FLUID AND FRUITS AND VEGETABLES EVEN COUNT TOWARDS YOUR FLUID REQUIREMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, ONE SMALL WEDGE OF WATERMELON OFFERS SEVEN OUNCES OF WATER. THAT’S ALMOST A FULL GLASS. OTHER HYDRATING FRUITS AND VEGGIES INCLUDE CANTALOUPE, PEACH, AND CUCUMBER. WHAT ABOUT SPORTS DRINKS AND OTHER DRINKS THAT CLAIM TO BE ULTRA HYDRATING? IF YOU’RE EXERCISING. FOR LONGER THAN AN HOUR, YOU MIGHT BENEFIT FROM THE ELECTROLYTES THEY CONTAIN. OTHERWISE, YOU PROBABLY DON’T NEED THEM. NO, I’D RATHER SAVE MY SUGAR FOR THE DRINKS OR DESSERTS. I’LL JUST STICK TO WATER FOR HYDRATION. ANDREA FLORES KCRA THREE NEWS WHILE MOST WATER IN THE U.S. IS SAFE TO DRINK, IT COULD CONTAIN COMPOUNDS AND CHEMICALS THAT CAN MAKE IT TASTE METALLIC, SALTY, OR EVEN SMELL A LITTLE FUNNY. CONSUMER REPORTS TOP TESTED WATER FILTER PITCHER IS THE BRITA STREAM. RAPID OB 55. JUST KNOW IT’S CERTIFIED TO REMOVE CHLORIN
Consumer Reports: How much water do you need to stay hydrated?
There’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on various factors such as body size, physical activity, and even sex.
Updated: 8:31 AM PDT Apr 18, 2024
Staying hydrated is essential for good health, and drinking water is a big part. It helps regulate body temperature, keeps joints flexible, and moves nutrients around the body. But how much water do you need to make all this happen? As Consumer Reports explains, the answer might surprise you.Water is indeed essential to good health and with the popularity of big stainless steel cups, many people are finding it much easier and even cool to drink a lot of it.But how much water do you need to stay properly hydrated? There’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on various factors- such as body size, physical activity, and even sex.Most men need about 15 and a half cups of fluids daily, and about 11 and 1/3 cups for women. But the good news is if you can’t stomach drinking that much water from a big tumbler all day long, there are many other ways to stay hydrated.Nearly everything we eat has some water in it, like soups, smoothies, coffee, and tea supply fluids. Fruits and vegetables also count towards your fluid requirements. For example, one small wedge of watermelon offers 7 ounces of water - almost a full glass. Other hydrating fruits and veggies include cantaloupe, peach, and cucumber.What about sports and other drinks that claim to be ultra-hydrating? If you're exercising for longer than an hour, you might benefit from the electrolytes they contain. Otherwise, you probably don't need them.While most water in the U.S. is safe to drink, it could contain compounds and chemicals that can make it taste metallic, salty, or smell a little funny. Consumer Reports’ top-tested water filter pitcher is the Brita Stream Rapids OB55. Just know it’s certified to remove chlorine but not lead or PFAS.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.
Staying hydrated is essential for good health, and drinking water is a big part.
It helps regulate body temperature, keeps joints flexible, and moves nutrients around the body. But how much water do you need to make all this happen? As Consumer Reports explains, the answer might surprise you.
Water is indeed essential to good health and with the popularity of big stainless steel cups, many people are finding it much easier and even cool to drink a lot of it.
But how much water do you need to stay properly hydrated? There’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on various factors- such as body size, physical activity, and even sex.
Most men need about 15 and a half cups of fluids daily, and about 11 and 1/3 cups for women.
But the good news is if you can’t stomach drinking that much water from a big tumbler all day long, there are many other ways to stay hydrated.
Nearly everything we eat has some water in it, like soups, smoothies, coffee, and tea supply fluids. Fruits and vegetables also count towards your fluid requirements. For example, one small wedge of watermelon offers 7 ounces of water - almost a full glass. Other hydrating fruits and veggies include cantaloupe, peach, and cucumber.
What about sports and other drinks that claim to be ultra-hydrating? If you're exercising for longer than an hour, you might benefit from the electrolytes they contain. Otherwise, you probably don't need them.
While most water in the U.S. is safe to drink, it could contain compounds and chemicals that can make it taste metallic, salty, or smell a little funny. Consumer Reports’ top-tested water filter pitcher is the Brita Stream Rapids OB55. Just know it’s certified to remove chlorine but not lead or PFAS.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.
