Ask the Doctor

My daily water intake

I want to know how much water I should consume on a daily basis. I also want to know if it is possible for someone to drink too much water.

Grace (by SMS)

 

The recommended daily fluid intake for women is 2.7 liters while it is 3.7 liters for men. This includes fluids from water, other drinks, and foods.  However, the amount of water you need depends on several factors.

You may need to drink more water during exercise, depending on the type and intensity of the activity while daily temperature can affect how much water you need to drink.  In addition, body size and muscle mass can affect the amount of water you need to drink.

Also, older people may not sense thirst as much as they did when they were younger.  You can also get fluids from foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Some foods with high water content include: watermelon, spinach, cucumbers, green peppers, berries, cauliflower, radishes, and celery.

Warning signs of dehydration include: Urine that is dark yellow in color, weakness, low blood pressure, dizziness, and confusion. Someone who sits at home or in an air-conditioned office all day would not need to drink as much water as someone who is working hard out in the hot sun. The kidneys can process about one liter of fluid per hour, so any amount above that over a number of hours can be risky. Among healthy people, endurance athletes tend to be at greatest risk for overhydrating

READ ALSO: Drinking water in the morning

Dr. Wale Okediran

Share
Published by
Dr. Wale Okediran
Tags: intakewater

Recent Posts

Labour Minister to Nigerian workers: ‘Your voices are heard, your resilience respected’

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has pledged the government's commitment…

8 minutes ago

Police arrest two suspected kidnappers, cultists in Anambra

He identified the suspects as Ani Obinna, aged 21, and Okwudili Ezike, aged 43, both…

23 minutes ago

May Day: Gov Nwifuru reaffirms commitment to prioritise workers welfare

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru has reaffirmed his commitment to prioritise workers welfare, uphold the…

48 minutes ago

Tinubu embarks on two-day visit to Katsina

President Bola Tinubu will, on Friday, depart Abuja for a two-day official visit to Katsina…

56 minutes ago

Workers’ Day: Labour deserves better as engine room of our economy — Speaker Abbas

“Workers’ Day is not just a time to honour the value of work, but also…

1 hour ago

Despite EFCC probe, CBEX resumes operation, clears old users’ transaction history

“Additionally, any bonuses earned by new members you invite, as well as dividends after upgrading…

1 hour ago

Welcome

Install

This website uses cookies.