The human body consists of more than 60% of it, our blood contains 92% of it and our brain is made up of 75% of it. BeautyHeaven takes a close look at some of the info we've all been taught about drinking water.
We've all seen the messages about not drinking enough water. Whether it's your friends and family nagging you, health experts or the media, we all know 'you need to drink eight glasses of water a day…' But is there
any truth to it? And if so, what does drinking this amount really do?
As well as the health benefits of glugging down the H2O, beauty experts pretty much always cite drinking water as the answer to great skin. Make-up artist Michelle Phan recently told BeautyHeaven that this was her number one beauty tip above all else, so there must be something to it, right?
We decided to take a look at all the information out there to work out just how much you should really be drinking – and what it will do for you.
So where did the eight-glasses-a-day mantra come from?
This advice has been
passed on through generations during the last century, but it's something of an inexact science because the size of glasses can vary considerably. One of the first scientific recommendations regarding water intake wasn't made until 1945 when the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council (USA) advised 1 millilitre of water for every calorie of food.
How much water do I really need to drink?
Many health and lifestyle factors impact upon the amount of water your body needs. These range from your weight, how active you are and even where you live! As a general rule the average male needs around three litres and the average female needs around 2.2 litres. To develop a more personalised water recommendation, jump online! There are tonnes of calculators that can work out your estimated water intake levels based on your height and weight.
Do hot beverages count?
Yes. A 2004 report from the National Academy of Science (in Australia) found that all beverages and foods contribute to hydration. Tea in particular has a heap of anti-oxidants (especially herbal tea) and as long as you don't go overboard with the milk and sugar, they could definitely be counted towards your daily water tally.
What does it do for my skin and health?
Although scientific findings vary regarding the link between drinking plenty of water and getting the skin you've always wanted, it does plenty for your health, which in turn affects your appearance. Water regulates body temperature and reduces the stress on the liver and kidneys, which helps flush out waste and toxins. And not drinking enough water can dehydrate your body and your skin, which means your complexion can look dry, and less healthy and supple as a result.
Did you know you can survive over a month without food, but only five to seven days without water? Tell us how many glasses of water you drink on a daily basis…
Written by Jordie, this article originally appeared on BeautyHeaven.
Image: Pablo Calvog/Shutterstock.com