How much water should i drink a day gallons

Q: Is it healthy to drink 4 gallons of water a day?

While you may be tempted to follow The Rocks lead (I mean, he is amazing), four gallons a day is probably too much water for the average person. The Rocks intense workouts probably burn thousands of calories at a time, and he needs to replace all the water that he loses through sweat.

To ensure you’re giving your body the necessary amount of hydration, be sure to get as close as possible to the daily recommendations for water intake. Below, read more about 10 important benefits of drinking enough water.

Heart Health

Cardiovascular disease is the top cause of death worldwide, but studies show that staying well-hydrated can reduce the risk of developing heart failure. This is because when you don’t drink enough water, your serum sodium levels increase, which in turn, causes the body to try and conserve water—a process known to contribute to heart failure.

Brain Health

Kidney Health

Your kidneys may be small, but they’re important, as they remove waste and extra fluid from your body, which helps maintain the right balance of water, salt and minerals. “Water helps the kidneys remove waste from the blood and may prevent the formation of kidney stones,” says Hoyt.

Joint Health

As we age, it becomes increasingly important to keep our joints in good health, as many seniors have serious mobility issues. “Since joint cartilage is comprised of 80% water, staying well-hydrated can help cushion and lubricate joints,” Hoyt adds.

Healthy Weight Maintenance

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Energy Levels

Temperature Maintenance

Water is also crucial for body temperature maintenance. When there’s enough fluid traveling through your body, your bloodstream is better able to maintain a state of homeostasis in your body and keep your temperature at a steady 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. “We are a body made of fat, muscle and other components,” says Bazilian. “If our temperature were to rise, the effect is fever. Sustaining a high body temperature over the long term can cause the body’s tissue composition to become altered.”

Mood Maintenance

Skin Health

Your skin is your body’s largest organ; and that means your skin needs its share of water, too. “Your skin is the outward barrier to the environment and helps transfer water in the form of sweat and also metabolic waste,” says Bazilian. “But if you don’t get adequate hydration, your skin will be forced to give up moisture to other, more critical bodily functions. Therefore, chronic dehydration can lead to dry, wrinkled skin.”

Immune System

No one wants to succumb to every virus that circulates, so to boost your immune system, raise your glass. “A healthy immune system may depend on your body staying adequately hydrated,” says Bazilian. “Constantly failing to get enough fluids into your body may depress the immune system and make it harder to fight off illnesses.”

About 60% of your body weight is made of water. You need it for every single body function. It flushes toxins from your organs, carries nutrients to your cells, cushions your joints, and helps you digest the food you eat.

If you don’t get enough water, you can become dehydrated. Severe cases of dehydration can cause dizziness, confusion, and even seizures.

That’s why it’s important to get the water as your body needs every day. No set amount is right for everyone. How much you need can depend on your size, how much exercise you do, how hot the weather is, and other things. Your doctor can help you determine what’s right for you.

How Much Water Does Your Body Need Each Day?

We’ve all heard that 8 glasses of water each day is best. But the truth is, how much water you need varies. But there are some basic guidelines:

For men, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends a total of 13 cups (about 3 liters) of fluid each day.
For women, they suggest 9 cups (a little over 2 liters) of fluid each day. Pregnant women should drink about 10 cups of water daily. Those who breastfeed need about 12 cups.

If you’re outside on a hot day, or doing something that makes you sweat a lot, you’ll need to drink more fluids to stay hydrated. The same is true if you have an illness that causes you to throw up, have diarrhea, or run a fever.

If you have a condition like heart failure or a particular type of kidney disease, you may need to limit your fluid intake. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.

How Much Water Should Kids Be Drinking?

Like adults, how much water children need depends on many things, like their age, how much they weigh, and their gender. Other things that play a role include how healthy and active they are, and what the climate is like where they live.

In general, children and teens need about 6 to 8 cups of water a day. They should also eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies, which are full of water.

During play or exercise, a good goal is to drink a half cup to 2 cups of water every 15 to 20 minutes.

Benefits of Drinking Water Daily

Water helps to keep you healthy in a number of ways. When you drink enough, it:

Helps you remove waste from your body through your urine, stool, and sweat
Helps your body stay a normal temperature, rather than overheating
Helps protect delicate tissues in your body
Keeps your joints cushioned and lubricated
Adds to skin health and keeping your skin plumped

What Counts as 'Water'?

Your recommended water intake includes all sources -- drinking water, other beverages, and food. But be careful -- certain fluids have their drawbacks.

For instance, juices, sodas, and smoothies can be hydrating, but they can also be high in sugar and calories.

Coffee and tea provide water, too. But, they also contain caffeine, which may have a mild diuretic effect. Most healthy people can safely drink about 2 to 4 8-ounce cups of coffee each day. Scale back if it makes you feel anxious or jittery.

Alcoholic drinks contain water, too. But like caffeine, they actually cause you to lose more water through your urine. This can lead to dehydration.

Sports drinks have a high water content. They also contain carbohydrates and electrolytes, which can help you absorb water and keep your energy levels up. During intense workouts, they help to replace salt lost through sweat. But be careful: many also contain lots of extra calories, sugar, and salt. Check the nutrition label. Pay attention to the serving size, and limit how many you drink.

Energy drinks are different from sports drinks. They contain sugar, as well as stimulants, like caffeine -- often in high doses. Many doctors recommend that children and teens avoid them.

And don’t forget foods! Fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, celery, and watermelon are over 90% water. They also provide a variety of different vitamins and minerals. Refreshing! Soups, stews, gelatin, and more also contain fluids to meet your needs.

Can I Drink Too Much Water?

It’s rare if you’re a healthy adult who eats a regular American diet. But it can happen.

If you drink a lot of water but your kidneys can’t get rid of the excess, you could develop a condition doctors call “hyponatremia.” That means the minerals in your blood are diluted, or watered down. As a result, sodium levels in the blood fall. Your body’s water levels rise and your cells swell. It can lead to serious (even life-threatening) problems. Endurance athletes, like marathon runners, are at risk for this condition.

Certain health conditions can also play a role in how much water you need. Ask your doctor for guidance if you:

Have thyroid disease
Have kidney, liver, or heart problems
Take meds that make you hold water, like NSAIDs, opiate pain meds, and some antidepressants

How Can I Be Sure I’m Drinking Enough Water?

Do you drink enough fluid that you rarely feel thirsty? Is your pee either clear or light yellow? If you can answer “yes” to both, you’re probably getting all the fluid you need.

Is 1 gallon of water a day too much?

Can drinking a gallon of water a day be harmful? For most people, there is really no limit for daily water intake and a gallon a day is not harmful. But for those who have congestive heart failure or end stage kidney disease, sometimes water needs to be restricted because the body can't process it correctly.

Is 3 gallons of water a day too much?

"For most people, three gallons of water is too much to consume in one day," she says. The person's weight, activity level, and the climate their living in play a significant role in determining how much water they need or can tolerate.

Is it healthy to drink 4 gallons of water a day?

While you may be tempted to follow The Rock's lead (I mean, he is amazing), four gallons a day is probably too much water for the average person. The Rock's intense workouts probably burn thousands of calories at a time, and he needs to replace all the water that he loses through sweat.

Is drinking 2 gallons of water a day too much?

"While two gallons may be appropriate for a multi-Super Bowl winning athlete, on average this would be too much," says Eric Ascher, M.D., Family Medicine Physician at Lenox Hill Hospital.