The amount of water a person should drink daily varies depending on factors such as age, gender, activity level, climate, and health status. However, general recommendations are:
- About 1.5 to 2 liters of fluid per day for an average adult in moderate conditions, as advised by several health sources. This includes water from all beverages and foods.
- The U.S. National Academies of Sciences recommends around 3.7 liters (about 15.5 cups) of total fluids per day for men and about 2.7 liters (about 11.5 cups) for women. About 20% of that typically comes from food and the rest from drinks.
- People with higher activity levels, those living in hot or humid environments, and specific groups such as pregnant or breastfeeding women may require more fluids, up to 6 liters or more in extreme cases.
Exceeding excessive water intake (8-10 liters in a short time) can be harmful and overwhelm the kidneys.
In summary, a typical adult should aim to drink between 1.5 to 3.7 liters (about 6 to 15 cups) of fluids daily, depending on personal and environmental factors, and use thirst as a good guide.
