How Much Water Should You Be Drinking?

If you're not a water drinker, it's time to turn yourself into one! Drinking water every day is key to maintaining good health. Your body is made up mostly of water — doesn't it make sense to replenish the good old H2O instead of filling up on soda or sugary fruit juices? Plus, did you know that the brain often mistakes thirst for hunger? Before running to the nearest snack machine, try drinking a few glasses of water and waiting about 20 minutes — your craving may just go away.

So how much water do you really need? Well, a general rule of thumb is about eight ounces of water eight times a day, but there's no strong scientific evidence to support that recommendation. In fact, some experts actually recommend 13 glasses for men and 9 for women! That may seem like a lot of water, but your body loses about 10 glasses in the course of a day. And if you're exercising, pregnant, or breastfeeding, or you live in a hot or humid climate, your water loss is greater, so you should increase your intake!

Take my advice and drink up — it's H2Ohhh so good for you! One tip: If you're having a hard time getting used to the taste of water, try adding a lemon wedge for a hint of sweetness!