Water is perhaps the source of all life; this is an undisputed fact. In this day and age, with all the scientific research done on the consumption of water for humans, we know very well how important it is to live a healthy life.

Keep reading to learn more about how much you should ideally be drinking.

A lot of people start their days with caffeinated beverages, which can be more damaging than you would think. This is because we have almost inadvertently forgotten how important water is in our lives.

“Water should almost always be your go-to beverage,” an expert says. We should “Choose it over sugary drinks like soda or juice, which can be high in simple sugars and calories,” they added.

The general advice we hear is that men should try to drink 13 cups of water a day and women should aim for around 9 (or 10 if they are pregnant). But this advice varies according to how old you are. Dr Jonathan Webster broke down what this aim should be.

Children aged four to eight years

Dr Webster shared that children between the ages of four and eight years old should be drinking about 1.2 liters a day. This is about 6 to 8 200ml glasses.

“Their bodies are still developing, and hydration is crucial for brain function, digestion and regulating body temperature,” the expert explained.

Teenagers

Those between the ages of 14 and 18 years old have different requirements. For boys, they need about 1.6 to 1.9 liters per day, while girls need about 1.5 liters.

This is a key period of physical growth for people, and hence, teens need a lot more water, which allows them to maintain their energy and helps support their metabolism and the functioning of their muscles.

Adults under 60

People who are under 60 years of age and beyond their teenage years require different amounts of water. Women need about 1.6 liters of water a day, which men in this age bracket need 2 liters.

“Proper hydration helps with temperature regulation, kidney function and concentration,” Dr Webster shared.

But it should be noted that factors like exercise, climate conditions and other things can impact the amount you might need exactly for your health.

Adults over 60

People over 60 years old need between 1.6 and 2 liters a day. As we age, our thirst decreases, which can heighten the risk for dehydration.

Common signs of dehydration include peeing infrequently, dark-colored urine, skin that does not spring back after pinched, tiredness, dizziness, confusion, and sunken eyes and cheeks, according to expert websites.

This is such important information for everyone’s health and well-being. Share this with others so they may know about this as well.