A recent NBC News article, “What You Should Know About Drinking Water (but Probably Don’t)“, notes that many Americans aren’t getting enough water. The article provides these research findings:
• A study from the Harvard School of Public Health found more than half of all U.S. children and teenagers are not properly hydrated
• The National Hydration Council reports 1 in 10 consultations for tired and fatigue are due to dehydration
How do you know when you need to increase your hydration?
There are certain situations—pregnancy, exercise, illness, when it’s hot outside—that call for increased hydration. But in general you should make it a point to drink a good amount of water daily. As noted in the NBC News article, here are a couple of signs you need to hydrate:
1. You feel thirsty – Thirst is a symptom of dehydration. Once you start to feel thirsty, dehydration has already set in.
2. You have bright or dark urine – Generally, when you are hydrated your urine will be a pale yellow color.
For tips on how you can drink more water and stay better hydrated, read the full NBC News article here. You can also check out these resources:
• How (and Why) to Drink More Water
• How Drinking Water Can Help You Lose Weight
One final note: Many individuals limit their water intake due to concerns about water quality in their home or place of work. If this is the case for you, you may want to consider investing in a Point-of-Use (PoU) or Point-of-Entry (PoE) water filter.
