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Most people believe that summertime is the most important time of year to ramp up drinking water. The days are hot, we lose water in our bodies so increasing water intake is very important. What you might not know, drinking water during the winter months is just as important. Please read the following reasons why you should pay attention to your water consumption in the winter.
How Much Water Should You Take In?
Our need for water does alter due to the temperature and level of activities. As an example, if you are an active athlete, your water intake is going to be higher than someone who is not active. Our water consumption is based on different reasons so please read on.
According to the Federal Institute of Medicine, women should take in 2.7 liters of water each day and men 3.7 liters. You might think that during the winter, that's a lot of water but not so fast. Food contributes to approximately 20% of water each day. Therefore, women should drink 8 8-oz glasses of water and men 12 8-oz glasses of water.
What you might not realize, fruits and vegetables are made up of 90 to 95% water. Eating more of these foods will definitely keep you hydrated. Soup is a very popular food during the winter but just make sure you steer clear of soups loaded with sodium.
Experts highly recommend you keep a bottle of water with you during the day. Keep in mind, your body can only process so much water, so watch your intake.
Also, the fluid in tea and coffee will help keep you hydrated. On the other hand, even though juices contribute to you fluid intake, the level of sugar can be a problem.
Issues from Dehydration Caused When It's Cold
There are several issues that will arise when you are dehydrated. One, your immune system will not be as strong as usual. You will come down with more colds and various illnesses.
Another problem during the winter from dehydration is fatigue. If you do not stay hydrated, you will become very tired and out of energy during the day. Cold weather will cause higher levels of dehydration forcing your body to burn out faster.
Colder weather also tricks your brain and body into believing you have plenty of fluids. The fact is, you are losing just as much fluid as you do during the summer months. Your blood is drawn toward the middle core of your body which is important to keep you warmer in the winter. You will also lose water because you urinate more often in the winter.
Why It's Important to Drink Water in The Winter
In general, most people consume more water during the summer because of the high temperatures, blazing sun, and constant sweating. There's is no doubt, you do need a lot of water in the summer but it's not the only time of year. The winter is one of the most important times to make sure your water intake is high. If you are not treating water intake in the winter as a top priority, here are reasons you should rethink that attitude.
Water Is Easy to Overlook
It's really easy to overlook water in the winter months. You don't feel particularly thirsty, you are not suffering from heat and not sweating. This is the time of year you think about hot drinks, making it very easy to overlook your consumption of water. Remember to bring a bottle of water with you during the day to ensure you are hydrated. Keep an eye out for dehydration such as suffering from cracked/chapped lips and dry skin. These are leading signs you are not taking in enough water.
How About Your Level of Concentration
Your level of concentration should always be at its peak no matter the time of year. During the wintertime, you are dealing with the holidays, gatherings of family and friends, and many winter and holiday activities. Keeping up with everything can be a challenge. Drinking plenty of water will improve your concentration as your brain needs plenty of water to operate correctly. If you feel focusing is becoming an issue, start drinking more water and see if that makes a difference.
The bottom line, water is a major necessity all year round. No one can live without water! Too many people overlook drinking enough water or making it a priority. During the winter, it's critical you drink plenty of water even if you are not feeling particularly thirsty. You will enjoy winter much more when you feel good and your health is up. Your good health will be ready to welcome in the spring and summer months just around the corner.