Not Feeling Thirsty?

As we age, our bodies might not register thirst as well as when we were younger, and our kidneys do not work as well. Try to drink small sips of water throughout your day. If you do not like the taste of water, add fruits or herbs to your water. Need some inspiration? Try these recipes!

Feeling Thirsty?

If you feel thirsty, you may already be dehydrated. Bring a refillable water bottle with you on hot days. You can also try setting an alarm reminding you to drink water every thirty minutes.

How Much Water?

How much water your body needs depends on the time of year, your environment, and overall health. The rule of thumb is to drink water before, with and after meals, before working out – and when you feel thirsty.

Certain medications will increase or decrease the amount of water you need to drink, so talk to your medical provider to see what they recommend.

How Will You Know if You're Drinking Enough Water?

You’ll know your fluid intake is sufficient if you are rarely thirsty, and your urine is colorless or a light yellow.

What if You Drink Too Much Water?

While this rarely happens, the result of drinking too much water is too much sodium in your body because your kidneys are unable to keep pace with the high amount of water intake. This condition is called hyponatremia, a serious condition requiring medical attention.

The good news is, it is rare for healthy, well-nourished adults to drink too much water. If you have concerns, reach out to your medical provider.