It’s hard to overstate the importance of avoiding dehydration. After all, water is involved in almost all of your body’s processes — including digestion, breathing, sweating, and brain function, per the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). No wonder skimping on sips can leave you with all kinds of unusual symptoms, as MedlinePlus notes — from dry skin and muscle cramps to headaches and dizziness.
But when it comes to water, there are all kinds of questions swirling around out there. For example:
Is the human body really 60 percent water? (Yes, according to the USGS.)
Is a big swig of plain water the only way to stay hydrated? (No, according to Mayo Clinic. Indeed, coconut water, tea, coffee, sparkling water, kombucha, and even less-healthy choices such as soda can technically count as fluid and help you meet your hydration goals. Alcohol, though, does not count as fluid.)
And perhaps the most common question of all: Do you really need to drink eight glasses of water each day? (Spoiler alert: It depends on all kinds of factors, including your diet, activity level, and age, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine — but for a personalized recommendation, use Everyday Health’s Hydration Calculator.)
Still have questions about your water intake? Maybe you’re wondering whether living with a chronic condition can affect your hydration levels, or whether your diet is dehydrating you. Maybe you just need some tips on how to squeeze the most H2O possible into your day.
Then quench your thirst for information by taking a dive into these resources, all designed to help you stay your best — and most hydrated — self.