I’ve always known hydration is incredibly important – well, ever since I found out the hard way, anyway. That said, I get the sense hydration is one of those fads where you get a group of people sitting around in a coffee shop, speaking with that silly valley girl accent, about how they pay attention to their hydration more than anyone else. I heard about this challenge yesterday, drink a gallon of water every day for a month. At first, I thought this was absolutely kooky, that whoever tries this is going to end up in the hospital with overhydration. Then I started doing some research, only to find out a gallon a day isn’t too much. In fact, for men (who need a considerable amount of water more than women do), that’s right on par with “normal”. A gallon.
Hit the link for an article that recommends 88% of a gallon a day for men and 60% for women.
This article links to a Mayo Clinic paper (the paper I read) that suggests men are closer to that gallon per day (3.7 liters to be exact) while women should be around 2.7 (70% of a gallon).
I have never been one to track my hydration habits, but they’re very good – I am one of those who simply drinks as he feels he needs and everything works out.
Doing the math(s), I’d be willing to bet I’m right at the daily recommendation. I never have any of the issues associated with dehydration, let alone chronic dehydration (see either of those two articles for the benefits of hydration – you can surmise the negative effects of dehydration are the opposite and rather ghastly as the problem gets worse).
So there you have it, friends; if you’re a dude, a gallon a day should do (especially if you’re one of us cycling/running/athletic types). If you’re a woman, a little less is great. Who’d have thunk it?
Drink up!
