Blog article

Why is drinking water so important?

By HBF
5 MINUTES
1 December 2021
Woman drinking water
Staying hydrated is essential for keeping your body feeling and functioning at its best. We explore why – and easy ways to drink more water.

Water makes up 50-80% of the human body – so it’s not surprising that staying well hydrated is important for your health and wellbeing.1

But why is it so essential, and how can you make sure you’re drinking enough water in your day?


In this article:


Why staying hydrated matters for your health

Quite simply, your body needs enough water to function properly, both physically and mentally.1

Not having enough water (being dehydrated) can impact your physical and mental performance and lead to issues like fatigue, lethargy and headaches.2

Here are a few of the things staying hydrated does for your body:1

What should you eat before and after exercise?

So how much water do you need to drink?

Throughout the day you lose water from breathing, sweating and going to the toilet, so drinking plenty of water is important for maintaining good health.1

While approximately one fifth of the water you need comes from food, the rest comes from drinking fluids.1

All fluids can contribute to this, but water is the best choice. Not only is it the most effective at hydrating your body, it also contains no kilojoules.2

So how much is enough water? Well, the amount you should drink each day depends on several things, like your age, your metabolism, your diet, and any medical conditions you may have.1

As a general guide (where one cup is 250ml):1

Signs and symptoms of dehydration

To prevent dehydration, it’s important to drink water before you feel thirsty – especially if you’re exercising or if it’s a hot day.1

Some signs that you may be dehydrated include:2

One easy way to check how hydrated you are is to pay attention to the colour of your urine. If you’re well hydrated, your urine will likely be pale yellow, rather than darker.1

You can use this urine colour chart to find out more. (Please note some medications and vitamin supplements can also affect urine colour. Speak to your doctor if you are worried about the colour of your urine.)1

Easy ways to drink more water

If you find it challenging to get enough water throughout the day, you might want to try some of the following simple tips to increase your water intake:

It may take some practice to get in the habit of drinking plenty of water, but with some simple tweaks you can make it a seamless part of your daily routine.


1 healthdirect – Drinking water and your health (2021)

2 Better Health Channel – Water – a vital nutrient



This article contains general information only and does not take into account the health, personal situation or needs of any person. In conjunction with your GP or treating health care professional, please consider whether the information is suitable for you and your personal circumstances.

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