What happens when you start drinking more water in your daily life?
One man decided to drink 13 cups of water every day for a week and experienced several changes in both his physical and mental well-being, as reported by Verywell Mind.
He had more energy throughout the day
After a few days of drinking more water, Adam England began to feel more refreshed.
He experienced less fatigue and generally had more energy throughout the day.
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His mood improved
By the third day of the experiment, he noticed that he was less grumpy in the morning than usual.
Throughout the week, he generally found himself in a better mood.
He experienced fewer headaches
He occasionally experienced headaches after long working days in front of his computer.
By the fourth day of the experiment, he realised that he had not experienced a single headache that week.
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He started eating fewer snacks
On the sixth day, he noticed that he was less tempted to reach for unhealthy snacks.
He felt that drinking more water made it easier to resist the temptation to buy something to eat.
He experienced better mental well-being
On the fifth day, he told his therapist that he had experienced his best week in terms of mental well-being in a long time.
It was only later that he considered whether his increased water intake might have played a role.
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He needed to use the bathroom more often
One of the most noticeable changes was that he needed to urinate more frequently.
This became particularly apparent during a trip to the cinema, where the extra bathroom breaks were somewhat inconvenient.
The colour of his urine changed
On the third day, he noticed that his urine had become lighter in colour than before.
According to Verywell Mind, pale yellow urine is generally a sign that the body is getting enough fluids.
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Drinking water quickly became a natural habit
At first, drinking 13 cups of water every day required a conscious effort.
After a week, however, it had become so natural that he almost forgot he was conducting an experiment.
He drank more water with meals
One of his strategies was to drink a glass of water with his meals.
He also began choosing water instead of fizzy drinks or beer when eating out.
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He made drinking water part of his daily routine
Whenever he went into the kitchen, he poured himself a glass of water.
This made it easier to reach his daily goal without constantly having to think about it.
Hot weather affected his thirst
During the experiment, he noticed that he naturally drank more water on hot days.
He also made sure to drink extra fluids when exercising.
Men and women have different hydration needs
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, men generally need around 13 cups of water a day, while women need approximately nine cups.
However, individual hydration needs vary.
The body also gets water from food
Around 20 percent of the body's daily water needs are typically met through food.
This means that staying adequately hydrated is not just about how many glasses of water you drink.
Age and physical activity also play a role
Hydration needs depend on several factors, including age, activity level and overall health.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women typically need more water, while certain medical conditions may require people to limit their fluid intake.
Drinking too much water can be dangerous
Although water is essential, excessive consumption can lead to water intoxication.
Symptoms may include headaches, nausea, confusion, drowsiness and muscle weakness.
Water can be made more appealing
If plain water seems unappealing, nutrition expert Christy Swaid recommends adding natural flavours.
Options include lemon, lime, orange, mint or strawberries.
Staying adequately hydrated is what matters most
According to dietitian Jennifer Pallian, keeping the body properly hydrated is more important than drinking a specific number of glasses every day.
Adequate fluid intake may also help protect brain function as we age.
This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.