Do you know that, too? You are trapped in everyday life and forget to drink enough and then in the evening it comes back to you and you drink a whole bottle at once, so that you can drink at least your 1-2 liters of water a day. That doesn’t sound really healthy, does it? But what does healthy drinking actually look like? Here you can find out everything you need to know about healthy drinking habits and many tips and tricks on how you can best implement this in your everyday life.
How much and how often should I drink?
Ideally, drink between 1.5 and 2 liters per day. However, your body can only absorb about 0.5 liters of water per hour during normal activity, the rest is simply excreted. Therefore, it is recommended to drink small amounts more often, instead of liters of water at once. It’s best to have a large glass of water ready every hour, so you don’t forget to drink and don’t drink too much fluid at once. Your body is optimally hydrated if you consume the amount of fluid that you have excreted through various channels, such as sweating or going to the toilet.
Why is water so important for our body?
Humans are made up of 60% water. Water is involved in all essential processes in the body and fulfills many important functions Among other things, the most important body fluids such as blood, lymph and digestive juices consist mainly of water. They are responsible for the transport of nutrients and metabolic products. In addition, water serves as a heat regulator, which means for example that it protects you from overheating. An adequate water supply is therefore essential so that all body fluids can fulfill their functions. If you drink too little water, the flow rate of the blood decreases and important processes in the body can no longer run optimally. Heart volume is reduced and blood pressure drops. This increases the risk of thrombosis and, above all, the brain suffers from the sluggish supply. Therefore, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and prolonged reaction time are often signs that you have not drunk enough water.
But water also has many other benefits for your body and your health. Among other things, the cells are purified and detoxified and supplied with fresh nutrients. It also promotes a beautiful complexion and reduces cellulite. Your immune system is protected from exhaustion and infections and your ability to concentrate and memory function are promoted. And did you know that drinking water even helps you to lose weight? This is because digestion is promoted and fat metabolism is boosted.
Can I actually drink too much water?
So far, you’ve heard a lot about how healthy it is to drink water and the consequences of a fluid deficit. Then you might think that it is healthy to drink as much water as possible. But what happens to these amounts of water in our body and can we actually drink too much?
Too much water does not harm our body at first, as it is simply excreted again. However, if you drink large amounts of water in a short time, water poisoning can occur in the worst case. This means that there is more fluid in the circulation than the body can compensate. As a result, the salt concentration of our blood dilutes and the heart, brain, kidneys and lungs can no longer work optimally. In extreme cases, the thinned blood can also lead to heart failure or swelling of the brain.
Tips and tricks for optimal drinking habits
We have learned that it is very important to drink enough fluids during the day. However, hydration should ideally take place at sufficient intervals. It should not be drunk too much water at once to avoid water intoxication.
Here you will find a few tips and tricks on how to best implement healthy drinking behavior and incorporate it into your everyday life.
- Have a glass of water ready in the evening. So you can’t forget it and cover a good part of your daily drinking needs first thing in the morning.
- Drink 1/8 liter of water every hour. This way you avoid drinking too much water at once.
- It’s best to fill up your glass right after you’ve finished it. So, you always have your water at hand and can’t forget it.
- Last but not least: It is always best to drink a glass of water before going to bed. This way you are well hydrated for the night.