Did you know? Surveys have recently shown that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. It’s definitely easy to not drink enough water, but still, 75% of all Americans is an alarming number of dehydrated people.

So, is being chronically dehydrated a bad thing? Well, it certainly isn’t good. Read on as AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN provides some answers and explains why it’s important to keep a steady influx of fluids going into your body.

Why Is Water Important?

Drinking enough water is one of the key foundations in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When you are properly hydrated, your body’s joints, bones, blood flow and nerves all work as they should.

Drinking water is also important because it helps replenish the fluids that are lost throughout the day. Even if you aren’t consistently sweating, your body constantly emits fluids through breathing, talking, sweating and using the bathroom. Staying adequately hydrated also benefits your body in other ways, which are listed below.

More Benefits of Drinking Water

• Gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration and bowel movements
• Keeps your temperature normal
• Lubricates and cushions joints
• Protects sensitive tissues

How Much Water Should I Be Drinking a Day?

The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups of fluids a day for men and about 11.5 cups of fluids a day for women. So, that’s close to a gallon for both men and women.

While a gallon of fluids seems like a lot, your body might not actually need that much. To know if you’re hydrated or not, pay attention to your urine color when going to the bathroom. If your urine is a clear or light yellow color, you’re probably hydrated even if you haven’t drank a gallon of water that day.

Ways to Make Sure You’re Drinking Water Throughout the Day

• Set a reminder on your phone to drink water.
• Use and refill a reusable water bottle.
• Replace sodas and sugary drinks at meals with water.

It’s important to stay hydrated! If you are experiencing body aches or feeling sluggish, you could be dehydrated. Don’t hesitate to visit AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN so we can get you the care you need.