The amount of water you should drink each day can vary depending on factors like your age, sex, activity level, and overall health. However, general guidelines can give you a good starting point for meeting your hydration needs. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) Guidelines:
- For men: About 3.7 liters (125 ounces) of total water intake per day, which includes water from all beverages and food.
- For women: About 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of total water intake per day, also from all beverages and food.
You can monitor your fluid status by your urine color. The color of your urine can be a good indicator of hydration:
- Light yellow or pale straw: Good hydration.
- Dark yellow or amber: You may need to drink more water.
- Clear urine: You’re likely drinking plenty of water, but may want to balance your electrolytes if you're drinking excessive amounts
