Hydration

Importance of Fluid Consumption for Health

Drinking fluids is absolutely essential. We all need to ensure our bodies are properly hydrated to stay in good health. The beverage industry provides multiple beverage options to meet our bodies’ hydration needs, such as bottled waters, fruit juice drinks, sports drinks, tea beverages, energy drinks and soft drinks.

Fluids both from the beverages we consume daily to those contained in the foods we eat make up our body’s primary source of water, which is needed to control body temperature, keep skin moist and transport oxygen and other essential nutrients to our cells. In general, we lose water all the time through breathing, perspiring and through urine. We need to replace these fluids to stay hydrated and healthy.

How much fluid do we need?

While we all at some point have probably been told to drink eight glasses of water a day, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences (IOM) has specific recommendations for total fluid intake — which includes drinking water as well as the fluid obtained from all foods and beverages. According to the IOM, adult men and women should aim for 11-16 cups of total fluids a day, while children and adolescents need slightly less, about 9-14 cups per day. However, active individuals and the elderly may have special needs and should consume more fluids than the above guidelines.

Adults and children can consume a wide variety of fluids each day, including water, milk, juices, teas, sports drinks and soft drinks to meet their hydration needs. For all the appeal beverages generate from a taste standpoint, it’s easy to forget they exist for an essential reason.