Did you hear the saying "water is life?" It's correct.

Water is necessary for a healthy body. We need to consume water through food and fluids in order to survive.

Good health depends on maintaining hydration. A lot of people don't like drinking water. There are other ways to stay hydrated.

Why hydration is important

Water is important for a lot of body functions. Half of our blood is water-based. The cells in the body that are most in need of blood are the ones that get it the most.

Water can be used to remove waste products from the body. The body's temperature controlled and skin plump and strong are also helped by it.

If you don't drink enough water, you could experience symptoms of dehydration such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and a dry mouth. Being dehydrated increases the risk of infections.

Make sure you pay attention to what your body is telling you if you feel thirsty.

How much fluid do you need?

As we get older, the amount of fluid we need varies. Our needs decrease as we get heavier. Older adults have less fluid needs than younger adults, but a newborn baby has higher fluid needs than their parent.

There are different fluid requirements for person-to- person. The normal turnover of water in adults is 4%.

If you weigh 142 pounds, you will lose 2.5 to 3 liters of water a day. You will need to consume that amount of water from food and drinks to stay hydrated.

The amount of water we should aim for is usually eight cups or two liters a day. It doesn't account for variations based on age, gender, body size and activity levels.

Alcohol causes the body to lose water through urine. The severity of a hangover is related to the fluid loss. It's a good idea to have a glass of water in between alcoholic beverages.

Coffee and tea have a mild effect on the body. Four cups of coffee or eight cups of tea is enough for most healthy adults. It may affect your hydration levels if you drink more than this.

Australian guidelines for fluid intake are a good place to start.

People who should take extra care

Some people need to pay more attention to their fluid intake because they are at higher risk of dehydration.

Babies, young kids, pregnant women, and older adults are priorities. Higher water needs per kilo of body weight, less ability to detect and respond to symptoms of dehydration, and barriers to consuming fluids are some of the reasons why these groups are at greater risk.

During warm weather, family and friends can be an important part of hydration.

Ten ideas for keeping fluids up

  1. Download a water reminder app on your phone

    This will help keep you on track during the day and give you digital "high fives" when you hit your water goals.

  2. Add sugar-free flavoring

    Try a sugar-free fruit infusion in your water to make it more appealing. Prepare a jug in the refrigerator and infuse it overnight so it's chilled for you the next day. Fill it up and take it everywhere with you!

  3. Add some fresh fruit

    Add some slices of lime, lemon, berries, pineapple or orange to your water bottle for some natural flavoring. If the bottle is kept in a fridge, the fruit will stay fresh for about three days.

  4. Make a jug of iced tea (not the bottled stuff)

    There are many great sugar-free recipes online. Tea contributes to fluid intake too. For green and black teas, brew in boiling water then cool overnight on the bench before refrigerating. Fruit teas can be made using cold water immediately.

  5. Add a dash of cordial to your water

    A small amount of cordial in your water is a healthier alternative to drinking a sugar-sweetened soft drink or fruit juice. Diet cordials have less added sugar again.

  6. Make a fruit 'slushie'

    Combine fresh fruit, ice and water at home in the morning and sip to increase your fluid intake for the day.

  7. Buy a soda maker for your home

    Some people find plain water tastes better with bubbles. Sparkling mineral water is great too, as long as there is no added sugar or sweeteners.

  8. Before you eat anything, have a glass of water

    Make it a rule with yourself to have a glass of water before every snack or meal.

  9. Eat water-rich fruits and vegetables

    Many fruits and vegetables have a high water content. Some of the best include berries, oranges, grapes, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, spinach and melons. Keep a container full of cut-up fruit to snack on in your fridge.

  10. Use a water bottle

    Take it with you during the day and keep it by your bed overnight.

A tip on water bottles

Water bottles are often used for emotional support and hydration.

It's a good idea to have a water bottle that you like to use in order to keep up with your fluids.

i don't know who needs to hear this, but please go wash your emotional support water bottle

— Rio (@riomat7) August 28, 2022

If you want to form good habits, use a water bottle that is made from good materials. Some people like to keep their water cooler in metal bottles.

Some prefer glass bottles due to the fact that the water isn't affected by any flavors from the container.

Consider the practical aspects, too: Will it fit in your bag? Will it be light enough to carry with you? Can you "chug" on it when you're exceptionally thirsty? Does the lid require screwing? How durable is it in preventing leaks? Do some homework on your water bottle, an essential accessory!

Lauren Ball is the Professor of Community Health and wellbeing at The University ofQueensland.

Under a Creative Commons license, this article is re-posted. The original article is worth a read.