The Evidence is in the Bowl

WATERAs we get closer to the heat of summer, much of our thinking revolves around hydration and whether we’re getting enough fluid.

There has been a lot of confusing information about how much water each of us should drink. Sometimes it’s eight glasses a day, sometimes ten, and sometimes it’s the same number of ounces as our weight.

But the reality is that there’s no one-size-fits-all amount that everyone should drink. How much fluid you need can vary according to the temperature, your activity level, or even the time of day.

Instead of trying to figure out how much water to drink, just look down the next time you go to the bathroom. The best way to tell that you’re adequately hydrated is that your urine is straw-colored. If it’s clear, you may be drinking too much, and if it’s dark you are not drinking enough.

Either light-colored or dark-colored urine could indicate a medical problem, if it is persistent. So contact your doctor if your urine is regularly clear or very dark.

Jennifer Halloran is the Director of Operations for Everybody Needs A Nurse patient advocates.

Feature image by StephenVance via flickr