Are You Drinking Enough Water Every Day? Here's How To Tell | HuffPost

This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

The Surprising Signs You're Not Drinking Enough Water

Rebecca Zamon— The Huffington Post Canada

|

We've all heard it a hundred times — you need to drink eight glasses of water a day in order to stay hydrated. But that's an average number, and it's not always the right one for everyone.

The video above by Buzzfeed goes into a few ways to tell if you are actually dehydrated. The most common (and logical) sign? Feeling thirsty, which actually indicates that you don't have enough water in your system.

Of course, depending on your weight, gender, health conditions and a few other factors, the amount of water you should take in each day can vary. Nutrition.com has a helpful water calculator that runs you through those general questions, while CamelBak (water backpack creators) can help you calculate your intake per physical activity.

Take a look at the video and tell us — how do you get more water into your day?

Also on HuffPost

Why Lemon Water Is Amazing

Hydration(01 of12)

There may be arguments in the health community about exactly how much water to drink each day, but we do know it's important to stay hydrated. For those who find water boring, lemon has long been suggested as a tasty addition to help compel them to chug. (credit:Shutterstock)

Constipation Help(02 of12)

If you're having trouble pooping, warm water and lemon might be just the thing to help you go. Taking in plenty of water is helpful for constipation in general, and the citrus can give some help to get things moving inside. (credit:Shutterstock)

Stop UTIs(03 of12)

If you're suffering from a UTI or want a way to prevent them, lemon water can help. According to Ask A Naturopath, lemon helps change the pH blood and the urinary tract so harmful bacteria can't stick around. (credit:Shutterstock)

Battle Breath(04 of12)

Of course, there's no way to avoid morning breath, but drinking lemon water can combat the bacteria in the mouth, according to Conscious Connection magazine, and therefore, lessen the potential for bad breath. Be careful, though — lemons can also erode the enamel on your teeth, so it's a good idea to rinse with plain water after your glass. (credit:Shutterstock)

Weight Loss(05 of12)

There are a variety of theories as to why lemon water might cause weight loss (including feeling more full from the pectin contained within). Though it hasn't been definitively proven, we do like what Fox News had to say, which is that drinking lemon water will undoubtedly have fewer calories than drinking, well, anything else except for water. (credit:Shutterstock)

Freshen Your Skin(06 of12)

Thanks to all the vitamin C within lemons, your skin reaps the benefits of you drinking the fruit as well. According to FitDay, vitamin C assists in the production of collagen, so having more in your diet can prevent wrinkles from forming. And of course, drinking lots of water is great for skin in general. (credit:Shutterstock)

Pump Up The Immune System(07 of12)

There's a reason you're always drawn to oranges when you're sick — once again, the power of vitamin C at play. Consuming the vitamin daily (via lemon water) can help keep you healthy and stave off infection, notes The World's Healthiest Foods. (credit:Shutterstock)

Recover From A Workout(08 of12)

Sports drinks have long been seen as the best way to 'rehydrate' after a workout, but as CBC found earlier this year, they're often unnecessary for the kind of exercise most people do regularly. Lemon water, meanwhile, provides the hydration needed, and according to Best Health, is what Hayley Wickenheiser drinks when working out. (credit:Shutterstock)

Helps With Aches And Pains(09 of12)

As Lily Gold of Simply Healthy and Happy says, lemon water can help reduce uric acid in our joints, which is one of the main causes of inflammation, especially as related to arthritis. (credit:Shutterstock)

Reduces Phlegm(10 of12)

It's a sad fact of our cold weather existence — phlegm happens, especially in the morning, but lemon juice can help. Dr. David Williams recommends adding a little honey to help rid your body of the mucous. (credit:Shutterstock)

Strengthens The Brain(11 of12)

Lemon may be known best for its vitamin C, but it also contains potassium, which helps with brain and nerve function. So for a quick natural way to feel more alert, lemon water is a great bet. (credit:Shutterstock)

Cleanses The Liver(12 of12)

As reported by LiverSupport.com, in Dr. Alexander F. Beddoe's Biological Ionization in Human Nutrition, he notes the liver can make more enzymes out of lemon juice than any other food. While we aren't advocating for an intensive cleanse (we know those are unnecessarily), this can help give your organ a boost. (credit:Shutterstock)

Related

anti-aging drinking enough water drinking water how much water how much water to drink

Suggest a correction

-- This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.

From Our Partner