Identifying the correct amount of water to drink every day is important to improve your health
Drinking is very important for the health of our body, regardless of the lifestyle we lead. Proper hydration improves skin health, regulates body temperature, aids digestion, keeps blood pressure good and also helps you breathe better. But when can we talk about correct hydration? How much water should you drink every day? How much truth is there in the 8 glasses of water a day story?
The amount of water to drink varies according to individuals, and must take into account the living environment, work and activity regime, but also the type of diet and lifestyle. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has established a cause and effect relationship between the daily intake of water and the maintenance of normal physical and cognitive functions and has indicated 2 liters as the minimum quantity to be consumed for an adult. of water in any form, equal to approximately 10 glasses if we consider an average table glass with a capacity of 200 milliliters.
A few years ago, EFSA’s scientific experts redefined the dietary reference values for the intake of various nutrients, including water, and recommended the quantity that is necessary to consume to enjoy good health depending on age and gender.
The data you find below considers the water consumed overall over the course of a day, both through direct consumption and through foods and drinks of all kinds and, equally important, refers to conditions of moderate environmental temperatures and medium levels of physical activity:
– Newborns up to six months of age: 100 mL/kg per day (half a glass for each kg of weight);
– Children between 6 months and one year of age: 800-1000 mL/day (4-5 glasses);
– Children between 1 and 3 years of age: 1100-1300 mL/day (6 glasses);
– Children between 4 and 8 years of age: 1600 mL/day (8 glasses);
– Children aged between 9-13 years: 2100 mL/ day for children and 1900 mL/day for girls (9-10 glasses);
– Adolescents, adults and elderly: 2 L/day for women (10 glasses) and 2.5 L/day for men (12.5 glasses).
The values indicated by the European Food Safety Authority increase significantly in conditions of hot climates and intense physical activity depending on the subjects and the conditions of dehydration. In the most serious cases, according to experts, it can be considered even more than double the average values.
Proper hydration is essential for good health, and paying attention to the recommended daily intake of water is important for overall well-being. Remember that individual factors such as climate, physical activity, and diet will also impact your specific hydration needs. Always consult with a healthcare professional if you have concerns about your hydration levels.