Water is a necessary component of human life. Without water, a person can only survive for a few short days. The body uses the water a person drinks to replenish the water it loses through respiration, perspiration, and urination. The human body is about 60% water, and certain parts, like the brain and muscles, are close to 75% water.

Health Benefits of Water

Drinking enough water has a number of important health benefits. People who are fully hydrated are less likely to complain of fatigue, back pain, and joint pain. In addition, it may decrease the risk of colon, breast, and bladder cancer. Drinking more water can also help improve the appearance of skin, making it look more vibrant.

How Much Water Do You Need?

The exact amount of water an individual needs to drink in a day depends on a number of factors including weight, physical condition, physical activity level, and the outside environment. The general recommendation for water consumption for adult males is 3.7 liters (about 16 cups) and 2.7 liters for adult women (about 12 cups).

Some of this fluid is gained through food consumption. Depending on an individual’s diet, food contributes between two and four cups of water each day. Therefore, men should be drinking around 12 cups of water each day, and women should be drinking around 8 cups of water each day.

Additional Benefits of Drinking Water

Aside from hydrating the body, drinking water has other health benefits. Tap water has added fluoride that helps prevent dental caries, a disease that causes holes in the teeth. There are also other minerals that can be present in drinking water including calcium, manganese, phosphate, sodium, and zinc. These nutrients come from the treatment process.

Tips for Drinking More Water

Drinking 8-10 cups of water a day can sound intimidating, but it can be very easy. The best advice is to carry a water bottle with you and have it out. If you keep it on your desk at work, it will remind you to drink water throughout the day. Drink water even when you do not feel thirsty. If you have not been getting enough water, your body may not be sending your signals that are you are thirsty anymore.

A Note on Bottled Water

Most people who live in the United States have access to clean tap water that is safe for drinking. Water bought in bottles is not safer or better for you than what comes out of your tap. Using a water filter, like the ones made by Brita, are a great way to purify water that comes from areas with lower quality water. They help clean the water and can make it better tasting. Additionally, using a water filter will save money in the long run, since it can be used to refill bottles and glasses.

Buying bottled water can also put you at risk of consuming BPA, since most plastic water bottles are made of plastics that contain BPA. For more information on BPA can be found here.


Amazon sells a great Brita Water Pitcher


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