Climate And Weather Conditions
The climate and weather conditions in which a person lives can also affect how much water they should drink every day. Someone who lives in a hot, dry climate will probably need more water than someone who lives in an area where it’s cold or wet. This is because the average person sweats more on days that are hot and dry. It’s also important to consider how much water a person needs when they’re exposed to extreme weather conditions such as a heatwave or a snowstorm. People exposed to these types of situations would need more water than the average person in order to ensure their body stays hydrated.
Altitude
The difference in height of land between where you live and sea level has a big impact on the amount of water that is needed each day. The closer you are to sea level, the fewer liquids your body needs to intake. This is because there is less air pressure. Conversely the higher your elevation, the more liquids your body needs to intake because there is increased air pressure. So someone living in Denver, Colorado who is 5,280 feet above sea level would need to drink more liquids than someone living in Los Angeles, California who is only 235 feet above sea level.
Food Intake
A person’s food intake is also helpful in determining how much water they should drink every day. Different foods contain different amounts of water. An apple, for example, contains about 88 percent water. Eating dried fruits instead, such as raisins, naturally decreases the amount of water in a person’s diet. So someone who eats more dried fruits would need to drink less water than someone who eats more apples. Another aspect of food intake is salt intake. Too much salt can cause a person to retain water. This means that someone who eats too many salty foods can still feel thirsty. Even if they are already well hydrated.
Medications
A person’s medications can also affect how much water they should drink every day. Some pharmaceuticals, such as anti-depressants, cause a person to expel more fluids through excretion. Which means it is important for them to increase their fluid intake so that they have enough liquids in their body. For example, someone who takes medication might need to drink around 3 liters of water per day. While someone who is medication-free might only need 2 liters of water per day (a general reference only).
Conclusion
There are several factors that determine how much water a person should drink every day. The variables included in this article are all factors that affect this amount. A general rule of thumb is to drink approximately eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day which equals about 2 liters. It is important to note that this guideline does not apply to babies, children, pregnant women, or the elderly. If you have any questions that are specific to your situation be sure to speak with your doctor!
