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How much water should you drink a day? Most people need about four to
six cups of plain water each day. But it may be surprising to learn that
water intake is an individualized number.
While the daily four-to-six cup rule is for generally healthy people,
that amount differs based on how much water they take in from other
beverages and food sources. Also, certain health conditions,
medications, activity level, and ambient temperature influence total
daily water intake.
Unfortunately, many of us aren't getting enough to drink, especially
older adults. We'll help you understand how much water you need to drink
in a day to stay healthy.
How much daily total water do you need?
For healthy individuals, the average daily water for men is about 15.5
cups and for women about 11.5 cups. That might mean you need only four
to six cups of plain water, depending on other fluid sources such as
coffee, tea, juice, fruits, and vegetables.
Active individuals need more water during the day, especially when
walking or standing. Exercising or engaging in intense activities
requires more water to cover water loss. |