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Topics: Food and Drink, Health, Life
Niamh Shackleton
There are so many different types of drinks out there that we often neglect the most important one — water.
I'm sure I'm not alone in being the type of person to reach for the coffee first thing in the morning (and usually several more cups then follow).
Then you might treat yourself to a soda with lunch and have yet more coffee in the afternoon, but the thing we should really be focusing our attention on is water.
Yes, it might be the more bland alternative, but water is key to keeping healthy. The University of California says that H2O plays a key role in many of our body's functions, including bringing nutrients to cells, getting rid of wastes, protecting joints and organs, and maintaining body temperature.
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"Water should almost always be your go-to beverage," it adds. "Choose it over sugary drinks like soda or juice, which can be high in simple sugars and calories."
The general advice is that men should aim to drink around 13 cups of water a day, while women should have around nine (10 if they're pregnant). But how does this vary depending on a person's age? Speaking to Metro Online, Dr Jonathan Webster broke it down.
According to Dr Webster, children in this age bracket should be drinking 1.2 liters a day, which works out to be six to eight 200ml glasses.
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"Their bodies are still developing, and hydration is crucial for brain function, digestion and regulating body temperature," the healthcare professional explained.
Particularly between the ages of 14 and 18, teenage boys need to be drinking 1.6 to 1.9 liters daily, while girls need 1.5 liters, Dr Webster said.
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Between 14 and 18 years of age is a key period of growth, therefore teens need more water which will help them maintain energy, support their metabolism and aid in muscle function.
Women under the age of 60 should aim to drink 1.6 liters of water a day, while men are recommended to have 2 liters a day.
"Proper hydration helps with temperature regulation, kidney function and concentration," Dr Webster said.
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It is worth noting, however, that factors such as exercise, climate, and diet will influence individual needs.
The goal is to also drink between 1.6 liters to 2 liters of water a day if you're in this age bracket.
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Apparently, as we age, our thirst sensation decreases which can make the older generation at risk of dehydration.
Typical signs of dehydration include peeing less, dark-colored urine, skin that doesn't flatten back right away after being pinched, tiredness, dizziness, being confused, and sunken eyes or cheeks, the Mayo Clinic states.