The Benefits of Drinking Water 

Daily water intake is a key factor to optimal wellness at any age, as the health benefits of water are endless. From anti-aging and weight loss to greater mental clarity, increased energy levels, and improved digestion and regularity, adequate water consumption is crucial to your performance throughout the day.

Whether you’re an athlete, busy mom, working 9 to 5, or a weekend warrior with a love for adventures like hiking, skiing, biking or running, we’ve all asked the question…how much water should I drink per day?

The Experts Weigh In

When it comes to average daily water consumption and how much water you should drink per day, there is a great deal of medical advice available today, with answers that vary.

Medical experts at Harvard Health recommend 4 to 6 cups of water per day as a general guideline for healthy individuals. According to Mayo Clinic, 8 glasses (8 ounces per glass) of water per day is a good baseline to start. Meanwhile, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Sciences suggests that ideal daily water intake ranges from 2.7 liters (11 cups) to 3.7 liters (almost 16 cups) per day. 

While daily water intake recommendations obviously can vary among the medical community, one commonality remains - daily hydration goals can also be reached with food and beverage choices outside of your traditional glass of water.

Drinking beverages that include milk, herbal tea and juice can contribute towards reaching your daily hydration goals, in addition to eating hydrating fruits and vegetables with high water content. Foods like celery, tomatoes, strawberries, watermelon, oranges and grapefruit can all aid in your pursuit of optimal hydration.

How Do You Know If You’re Dehydrated?

If you're feeling thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Proper fluid intake is imperative for your body to function at its very best. From plain water to water flavored with your favorite fruits or electrolytes, create the ideal beverage that appeals to you to make it your go-to for every day. 

Recommended daily water intake levels vary greatly depending on many factors including activity level, body mass, age, health, medications and any existing health conditions, in addition to weather conditions and temperature.

A person who is physically active will always require more hydration than those who are more sedentary. As a general rule, 2 to 3 cups of water per hour is recommended during exercise. You should also make sure to increase your water intake if you are sweating heavily or being active in warmer temperatures. 

More About the CamelBak Hydration Calculator

Determine your ideal level of hydration with CamelBak’s Hydration Calculator, a helpful guide for optimal hydration during physical activity. From hiking and skiing, to running and biking, the amount of time you spend being active and the intensity at which you perform these activities greatly impacts the amount of water you should consume.

Our Hydration Calculator assesses the ideal amount of water recommended for each individual based upon your personal fitness profile and activity level. We start by gathering your basic information including age, sex and body weight, in an effort to provide a more customized hydration plan designed around your activity of choice. Think of it as hydration tailored just for you!

The Hydration Calculator evaluates your profile information while making two recommendations:

1) The total amount of water you’ll need to replace during that specific activity and

2) How much water you should be drinking per hour.

It's important to note that consuming water throughout your activities makes it easier for the body to absorb (rather than drinking water all at once, before or after exercise), while also enhancing your performance.

Hydration Should Be Simple

From reusable water bottles and hydration packs to water-rich fruits and vegetables, making water easily accessible throughout your day is the first step to making hydration a daily habit.

CamelBak has your hydration needs covered from kids’ water bottles and sports water bottles to travel mugs and drinkware for your car, home or classroom. Now, staying hydrated is easier than ever before, and your first step towards optimal health and wellness at any age! 

Get more hydration, wellness, and active lifestyle tips at Thirst Things First.