Staying hydrated provides many benefits to our health. Read more to find out how much is right for you . . .
There is so much nutrition information out there on the internet. How are you supposed to know what is right for you? What's important for you to know here is that calculating fluid requirements needs to be individualized. There is no one size fits all answer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) further explains that "daily fluid intake recommendations vary by age, sex, pregnancy, and breastfeeding status."
“What's important for you to know here is that calculating fluid requirements needs to be individualized. There is no one size fits all answer.”
The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences. Adequate Intake (AI) recommendations for men ages 19-50 years include 3.7 L/day of total water. This includes approximately 3.0 L (≈ 13 cups) as total beverages, including drinking water. Recommendations for women ages 19-50 years include 2.7 L/day of total water. This includes approximately 2.2 L (≈ 9 cups) as total beverages, including drinking water.
An Individualized Approach
Ask your doctor or a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist about your specific fluid requirements. These professionals will also take into account your past medical history, medications and lifestyle to determine an amount that is best for you. Dietary Guidelines for Americans does recommend consuming most fluids from nutrient dense beverages (water, milk, juice) and limiting sugar-sweetened drinks to small amounts. These drinks contribute to intake of added sugars, which can lead to excess calorie intake.
Disclaimer: Woodlands Family Nutrition is an online nutrition practice that serves The Woodlands, Texas and surrounding Montgomery County area (Conroe, Montgomery, Spring, Willis). This practice provides nutrition therapy virtually via telehealth. All information presented and written within woodlandsfamilynutrition.com are intended for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional.