

There is evidence showing that drinking water containing fluoride can help prevent tooth decay. Water with added fluoride is safe to drink. In Aotearoa New Zealand, most tap water is reticulated (supplied by the local water authority) and, in many cases, has fluoride added. If you're taking part in vigorous sport, thirst is usually an indication that you are already dehydrated. If you exercise vigorously you should drink a glass of water before starting and then have half a glass every 15 minutes. Preventing dehydration will also help improve your performance. How much water do I need when I'm exercising?

If you're having to pee 4 –5 times a day, and your pee is a pale yellow colour, you're probably getting enough fluid. If it is dark yellow you are not drinking enough, and if it looks like water you are drinking too much. If you're losing more fluid because of hot weather, sweating, playing sports, vomiting or having diarrhoea, you'll need to drink more. This includes most drinks, eg, water, milk, tea or coffee – but don't count alcohol in this total as it dehydrates you. So, it's really fluid that we're talking about, not just water.Īs a rough guide, adults should aim for 1.5–2 litres (6–8 cups) of fluid each day and children 1–1.5 litres (4–6 cups). Foods like watermelon and lettuce contain lots of water. We get about 20% of our water intake from food. Water (fluid) comes from what you drink and many everyday foods. Did you know it's not just water that counts? So exercise, playing sports, hot weather, vomiting (being sick) or having diarrhoea (runny poo) can change how much water you need. You lose water through sweat, breathing and going to the toilet. To keep functioning normally, your body needs a steady supply of water. Older adults and young children should drink often, even if they are not thirsty.They often can't tell you that they're thirsty, nor can they get a drink for themselves. Older adults have fewer water reserves, and their sense of thirst is less reliable.Most healthy people can rely on thirst to tell them when they need to drink more. When you reach a 5% increase in thickness, that's when you're dehydrated. This signals your brain to make you feel thirsty, and your kidneys to conserve water.Ī 2% rise in the thickness of your blood can make you feel thirsty. Your body fluids become more concentrated (thicker) when you're low on water. You feel thirsty! It is important not to ignore your thirst, even if it is only mild. If your body's getting low on water, it has a clever way of telling you. What's going on in my body when I feel thirsty? The average person can survive for about 40 days without food but most people will die if they go for more than 5 days without water. Your body is about 50–80% water, depending on your age and body weight. Water is involved in many processes in our body, including digestion, absorption, transportation, dissolving nutrients, temperature regulation and getting rid of waste products. What happens when I don't drink enough water?.Is bottled water better than tap water?.How much water do I need when I'm exercising?.What's going on in my body when I feel thirsty?.On this page, you can find the following information: Not drinking enough water can affect our health – and not in a good way! Some water is made by our body, but we need the water from what we eat and drink to make sure we get enough.
