Women Health and Environment

Go to any college in the land and you will see legions of young women carrying water bottles in their hands or neatly tucked in their backpacks. Health experts promised them that drinking eight glasses of water a day improves skin texture, boosts energy levels, fights fat, makes you look younger, and gives you healthy urinary tract.

New guidelines from Institute of Medicine say that drinking that much water may be overkill. Rather, let thirst be your guide. You get water from foods, beverages such as coffee and tea, and your metabolism.

The average women needs 2.7 (91 oz.) liters of water per a day. This advice does not apply to active women. Replace fluids as you lose them when exercising vigorously – particularly in the heat. Weight loss using the metric system is the best way to measure water loss. If you lost one-half kilogram (1.1 pounds), you should drink 500 milliliters (one pint) of fluid. When exercising for more than one hour, drink a sports beverage containing carbohydrates, electrolytes (sodium, Chloride and potassium) and water. Drink extra water about 30 minutes before exercise and try to replace fluids early in your workout.