
Water can also regulate your hunger and thirst cues throughout the day – helping you make smarter, healthier food choices.Ĭan drinking a gallon of water a day be harmful?įor most people, there is really no limit for daily water intake and a gallon a day is not harmful. You might find that the craving has passed because you were actually just thirsty. If you’re feeling hungry, drink a glass of water and wait a few minutes. Often times we confuse thirst with hunger or food cravings. If you don’t drink enough water, your skin can overcompensate and turn oily to try to flush out the contaminants on its own. Water helps flush these toxins out of your system. Your skin is your body’s largest organ and is constantly exposed to toxins. When you’re overheated, your body knows to sweat to cool you off. Water helps your internal body temperature adjust to the external temperature around you. Try drinking a big glass of water first thing after you wake up. (Ever wake up in the morning not feeling so great? It’s likely because of the lack of water overnight.) Water helps blood and oxygen flow more freely to your organs, making you feel more alert and energized. Dehydration makes you tired and can even make you nauseous. Isn’t it so much more comfortable when things are regular? Fluid in your gut helps to rid your body of solid waste. Water is also vital for your organs to work properly. Your cells run the show – everything from hair growth to healing a wound to balancing your hormones. You need water down to a cellular level for your cells to operate as they should.

Helps your organs and cells work properly.It hydrates the padding between your joints, making it easier to move around. Water acts like WD-40® for your joints and bones. Looking for some inspiration to chug? Czerwony breaks down why water is the holy grail for our bodies: If we’re dehydrated, all sorts of weird things can start to happen. Our bodies are made up of mostly water, so we need to stay hydrated to function properly. Your bladder will thank you! The benefits of drinking water Just focus on drinking water steadily throughout the day instead of guzzling it all down in the evening. You might even notice that your body will start to crave more water the more you drink. “Obviously your body isn’t used to that level of water so you’re going to be running to the bathroom at lot more often when you first start.”īut there’s good news! As you drink more liquid, your kidney function and hormones will start to change and you’ll likely notice your body recalibrating and becoming more efficient at handling the high water volume. “I often tell patients that if you opt to drink a gallon of water a day – or just up your water intake in general – you’ll definitely get your steps in,” jokes Czerwony. Some people naturally require more water than that, while others a bit less.Īdvertising Policy Concerned about peeing all the time? Your activity level, your location, your metabolism and your size should all be considered into this number as well. How much water should you be drinking in general?Įverybody’s hydration levels vary, but the standard number to aim for is 64-ounces a day. If your pee is darker, that might be an indicator to up your water intake, but keep in mind that some medications (and even food) can affect the color too. If you’re hydrated, it should be a light lemonade color, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be clear. A good rule of thumb is to take a peek at the color of your pee. Obviously, everyone wants to avoid being dehydrated, but that doesn’t mean you have to fill up on 128-ounces of water every single day to avoid it. People have different water needs based on their weight, activity level, how much they sweat, how hot it is, what medications they’re on and what they eat. Your body is incredibly efficient and will let you know when it is thirsty. “Everybody’s hydration levels are different, but most people don’t need a daily gallon.”

“Drinking a gallon of water a day is not really necessary, but it’s not going to hurt you either,” says Czerwony. Is drinking a gallon of water a day recommended? Plus, she offers practical advice about how to drink more water throughout the day. Policyĭietitian Beth Czerwony, RD, discusses what to know about this trend, how much water you should really be drinking and what factors influence your hydration levels. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.

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