Health experts recommend adults to take 64 ounces (8 eight-ounce glasses) of water daily. This equals four 16 oz cups of water every day.
The U.S nationalacademies.org is, however, of a different opinion. They recommend men to take 3.7 liters daily and women about 2.7 liters.
So, how many 16 oz cups of water should you drink in a day? You should drink at least 4 cups of 16 oz per day. This will, however, depend on your overall health, age, environment, exercise and gender.
If you are a highly active person, you’ll require more than 4 cups of 16 oz a day. You will also need more water if you are suffering from urinary tract infections or live in an arid area.
Is a 16 oz Cup of Water a Day Enough?
Drinking 16 ounces of water a day is barely enough. In fact, it’s only ¼ of the daily amount recommended by doctors.
Although water intake is individualized, try to drink 4 to 6 cups of water daily if you are healthy. Even when healthy, the amount might vary if you exercise a lot or spend hours outdoors on a hot day.
If suffering from underlying medical conditions, check with your doctor to ascertain the right amount for you.
Is five 16 oz Cups of Water a Day too Much?
Five 16 oz cups of water a day isn’t too much, especially if you live in an arid area or work out a lot. In fact, it equals 80 ounces of water daily.
5 cups of 16 oz a day may not even be enough for you if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How Can You Tell that You are Not Drinking Enough Water?
You can tell that you are not drinking enough water if:
- Your urine appears dark or smells strongly.
- Have a dry mouth and chapped lips.
- You feel light-headed or have headaches.
- You feel weak or tired.
- Have muscle spasms or cramps.
- You feel confused
How does your body change when you drink enough water daily?
If you drink enough water every day, your body will most likely undergo the following changes:
- Your skill will become more moisturized, supple and clearer.
- You will feel more energetic.
- You might lose weight.
- Bowel movements might be more regular and easier.
- Your gums and teeth will be healthier.
- You will experience digestion that is more comfortable.
- You will urinate more.
How much water should children drink?
Children under 8 should drink less water than older kids (9 to 13+ years).
Any beverages count towards the daily water intake. It also includes the water they get from eating vegetables and fruits.
The table shows the amount of water kids of different age groups need to drink daily.
| Age | Gender | Cups per Day |
|---|---|---|
| 4 – 18 years | Boys and girls | 5 |
| 9 – 13 years | Boys Girls | 8 7 |
| 14 – 18 | Boys Girls | 11 8 |
When your kid is playing, they will need more water. You also need to ensure that they drink enough water if you live in an arid area.
FAQs
Q: Can you survive on one cup of 16 fl oz every day?
However, if you are taking other fluids, fruits and vegetables with high water content in addition to the cup of water, you can survive.
Q: Is it okay to drink too much water?
If you drink excess water, you’ll dilute your electrolytes and decrease the sodium levels in your blood. This can lead to hyponatremia.
Hyponatremia causes muscle weakness or cramps, confusion, extreme fatigue, brain swelling, increased blood pressure, seizures or coma. In worse situations, it can lead to death.
Q: How can you tell that you are drinking too much water?
Visiting the bathroom often to pee indicates that you’ve taken too much water. At most, you should urinate a maximum of 8 times a day.
Overhydration can also cause nausea and vomiting. It can also cause severe headaches.
Q: Is a 16 oz cup of water enough for a kid?
Of importance to note is that the amount of water needed by kids varies by age. A great starting point is 4 cups a day.