There are a number of reasons why drinking water is so important! For instance, water aids digestion, clears skin, fights fatigue, give you energy, and prevents disease. If that isn't enough to convince you to manage your water intake, water plays a HUGE role in balancing your blood sugar level, which affects your overall health and weight loss goals.

So let’s get down to it, how much water is enough? You may have heard the recommended 8 glasses of water a day rule, but is there really a one-size fits all approach? Below find the ‘how to’ guide when it comes to water.

Why water is so important:

Keeps the fluid balance of the body
Carries nutrients to our cells
Flushes bodily waste
Aids digestion by forming stomach secretions
Keeps kidneys healthy
Keeps moisture-rich organs (our eyes, skin, mouth and nose) functioning well
Fights fatigue and gives you extra energy
Helps clear skin
Prevents muscle cramps
Regulates body temperature and metabolism
Plays a crucial role in disease prevention
Reduces inflammation
Promotes cartilage health
Slows the signs of aging

How much water to drink:
It is suggested that you drink between 64 ounces and 0.67% of your body weight. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, then you need to drink anywhere between 64 ounces and 100 ounces (0.67% x 150) of water per day.

Additional factors that affect how much water you need to drink:

Your activity level - especially how much you sweat!
How much caffeine or alcohol you drink daily since both are dehydrating.
The temperature where you live. For instance, super-hot summers require more water.

3 signs that you drink enough water:

Urine is on the light side. If the urine is dark and there’s not much of it, then you’re not drinking enough water.
Urine is abundant.
You have to empty your bladder about every two or three hours. If you’re going constantly. You could be drinking too much water.

5 Bonus tips for making sure you drink enough water:

Drink 20oz (1-2 glasses) of water first thing in the morning. You’ve been asleep for 6-10 hours, so it’s important to hydrate! This can even replace morning coffee, as rehydrating the body and brain will lead to clearer thinking and better energy.
Keep a pitcher of filtered water in your fridge at home or near your workspace with the amount of water you want to drink each day.
Drink 8oz of water before exercise and continue to sip water during exercise.
Keep bottles of water everywhere – in your car, home, office, by your bed, and around work areas.
If you have digestive challenges, drink most of you water between meals. *Note that when you first start to increase water intake you WILL be in the bathroom more often then you’re used to, but that will only last a few days until your body adjusts. It is suggested that you gradually increase your intake.

How Much Water Do you Need?