Is drinking 3 litres of water a day good for you? We’re often bombarded with so many different messages when it comes to how much fluid we should be getting a day. Is 2 litres enough? Is 3 litres too much? We look at what the science says about drinking 3 litres of water a day.
What Makes Up A Normal Daily Water Intake?
It is very important to drink enough water in order to stay hydrated. Drinking enough water daily helps with many bodily functions such as digestion and metabolism. We recently covered all the reasons why drinking water is good for you right here.
Water makes up 55-60% of an adult’s body weight and that the average person needs about 8 cups of water per day. This is the recommendation for adults age 19-30, with the requirement for water increasing to 9 glasses per day for people over 60. The number of glasses a person needs to drink can vary depending on their size and climate.
Drinking enough water is vital for many bodily functions including digestion, circulation, and temperature regulation. It is also needed as part of the process to eliminate waste from our bodies.
Most people do not drink the amount of water they need, which can lead to a number of health issues like constipation, high blood pressure, and headaches.
The Risks of drinking too much water
There is a common misconception that drinking too much water is actually harmful to your health, as in very rare cases it can cause hyponatremia, which in turn can lead to seizures and even death.
The truth is, it is very rare to die from over-drinking water. There are other risks associated with over-consumption of water, such as:
1) Kidney damage or failure
2) Low blood sugar levels
3) High blood volume and pressure
There have been reports of serious health risks for people who drink too much water. This is because although water is the best thing for you, there can be too much of a good thing. Drinking too much water can lead to serious health problems including seizures, comas, and even death.
The most common symptom that someone has drunk too much water is nausea and vomiting. Drinking so much liquid in such a short time can lead to an overload of electrolytes in the body which can make you feel nauseous or induce vomiting. In rare cases, drinking too much water will lead to a condition called hyponatremia or water intoxication where there’s not enough sodium in your blood which causes brain swelling and death if untreated.
Benefits of Drinking 3 Litres of Water a Day
There are many benefits that come with drinking 3 or more litres of water per day. For starters, it is good for your health as it prevents diseases and improves mood and productivity. It’s also good for your skin and to manage over-eating.
The most significant benefit of drinking 3 litres of water a day is that it can help in the process of detoxification. The kidneys are organs that play an important role in removing harmful substances from the blood like excess salt, acids, and chemicals. Without enough water consumption, these substances can build up and create toxins in the body.
Drinking enough water can help flush these toxins out each day so that they do not accumulate. This will also prevent dehydration since it flushes out excess salts from your body and lowers your risk for heart disease or kidney stones due to less chance of developing too many minerals in your system.
From replenishing your body to improving mood and productivity, you can see the difference in just a few days if you decide to up your water intake.
How to Drink More Water Without Hating It
If you’re not too keen on water and worried about reaching the minimum of 2 litres a day, nevermind 3(!), then here are some top tip to stay hydrated:
- Add natural flavourings to your water – Cucumber, apple, lemon, mint; there are plenty of fruits and veggies you can add to your water to flavour it.
- Invest in a large water bottle – You can get large water bottles with times printed on to help you stay on track with your water intake each day.
- There’s an app for that – There are several apps on the market for your phone or smart watch that will remind you to drink more water. Daily Water Tracker Reminder is available on both iPhone and Android – and is a great place to start!
- Other drinks count too – It’s a common misconception that other drinks don’t count towards your fluid intake. Try sugar-free squash, milk or other drinks that are free from artificial colours or sugars.
- Slowly work your way up – You might not be able to start drinking 3 litres of water a day right off the bat, especially if you’re not used to it. Look at where your water intake is now and try adding 250ml extra a day until you reach your goal.
It’s so important that we drink enough water and whether you want to hit the minimum recommended of 2 litres or aim for 3, these tips should help you reach your goal.
