How many glasses of water should a teenager drink?

 

Drinking enough water is very important in maintaining the overall health and wellness of our bodies. Drinking enough water also helps in digestion and keeping a normal weight. This article covers the minimum amount of water needed for a teenager to drink to maintain good health.

 

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for drinking water is 81 ounces per day for a male and 88 ounces per day for a female. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that children drink six cups of water every day for a total of about five liters. (You'll probably need more than that daily if you are a frequent gym user.)

 

Why is drinking enough water so important?

 

The health of the kidneys plays a huge role in how well our bodies process fluids and how hydrated our bodies are. These kidneys are one of the most important organs in the body as they filter the blood through the urine to remove waste products. The kidney filters more than 100 trillion gallons of water per day. The kidneys also produce a mineral called erythropoietin that helps the body produce more red blood cells.

 

The kidneys help the body with the hydration of water by releasing electrolytes into the body when needed. These minerals also help the body maintain water balance. When we lose too much water through drinking, the body needs to re-hydrate.

 

When the body does not consume enough water,

it will get dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to a multitude of problems like poor vision, dry skin, constipation, muscle cramps, feeling lightheaded, heart palpitations and even an increased risk of stroke.

 

* it causes urination to become erratic and sometimes, to stop altogether.

 

* it causes the kidneys to swell (hypertension) and become weaker.

 

* it causes constipation or diarrhea.

 

* it causes feelings of hunger or even nausea.

 

* it causes an increase in body temperature.

 

* it may even trigger flu-like symptoms.

 

If the body does not rehydrate, the kidneys may stop functioning as

well.

 

Teenagers are at higher risk of dehydration than adults. So, if you are a teen and are unsure of how much water you should drink, the below may help:

 

* start off slowly by drinking about half your weight in ounces (or water or liquids) per day. If you are losing or peeing a lot of water, then increase your daily intake gradually.

 

* limit the amount of caffeine and other caffeinated beverages you drink. Some of these drinks contain as much as 7 or 8 teaspoons of sugar per 12 ounces of beverage.

 

* drink additional fluids (most often a glass of water) after you exercise and throughout the day to help your body better absorb the minerals and electrolytes that you lose.

 

* drink before, during and after a meal to help your body absorb the food and stay properly hydrated

* drink at least eight ounces of water every hour and try to include fluids before you feel thirsty or after you have finished eating.

 

When are teenage bodies at the highest risk of dehydration?

 

* Younger children, teenagers and especially younger adults,

 

* especially girls,

 

* are especially susceptible to dehydration because their skin is thinner, they tend to be less active and there are