The body is made primarily of water, and all body systems depend on it in order to function properly, but how much water is enough--and how much is too much? The answer is: it depends. Your health, environment and activity level all determine how much water you should be drinking.
General Rule
According to the Mayo Clinic, the general rule for water intake is referred to as eight-by-eight. This means drinking eight glasses of water a day, each consisting of 8 oz., spread out over the course of the entire day.
Fluid Replacement
The fluid replacement method refers to drinking enough water to replace the amount of fluid your body excretes. This is especially true for athletes who need to drink an extra 1 to 3 cups of water to compensate for fluid lost through perspiration.
Weather
According to the Mayo Clinic, those who live in higher altitudes urinate more and breathe faster, and require extra water intake. Individuals who live in hot, humid climates sweat more and need to drink more water than the recommended eight-by-eight.
Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need more water, due to the body's increased demand for fluids. Pregnant women, according to the Mayo Clinic, should drink 10 cups per day, and breastfeeding women should drink 13.
Illnesses
Illness affects the amount of water an individual needs to drink. Those with colds or conditions like diarrhea need to increase their fluid intake, while those with certain heart or kidney conditions may need to restrict their fluid intake.
Too Much Water
Drinking too much water results in a condition where the kidneys can't excrete water as fast as you drink it. This causes your blood's mineral content to become diluted in a rare condition called hyponatremia.
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