How much of the human body is water? It might surprise you to learn that water makes up about 60% of our body weight.
And what does water do for the body? The benefits of drinking water are many: It’s vital for almost every function in the body. Water acts as a building block, a solvent for chemical reactions and a transport material for nutrients and waste.
The amount of water you need to drink will depend on several factors, including your age, gender, activity level and more. However, here’s a good general guideline when it comes to recommended daily water intake: Women should drink at least 2.21 liters per day and men should drink three liters per day.
Increase your daily water intake as you increase your activity level. Be sure to always drink filtered water to avoid toxins found in tap water.
Drinking plenty of water can help keep your body functioning at its highest capacity. Staying hydrated can help you to:
Improve physical performance. During physical activity, our bodies use up a lot of water. So, staying hydrated before, during and after exercise helps to protect your body from harm and perform better. Proper hydration can reduce fatigue, improve endurance, lower your maximum heart rate and more. It can also help you to be less sore after exercise.
