Skip To Navigation Skip to Content
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregedivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregafgivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
Individuals & Caregivers
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Public Health Professionals
Teachers
 

NCHPAD - Building Healthy Inclusive Communities

Font Size:

Water: The Essential Nutrient


 By: Carleton Rivers, MS, RD, LD

Water is essential for every cell, tissue and organ in our body to work properly. To put this in perspective, you could survive around six weeks without food but not make it past a week without water. This is because water helps to regulate our body temperature, transport nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, carry waste products away from cells, maintain blood volume, and lubricate joints and body tissues.

Listed in the table below are recommendations for total water consumption (not just drinking water; this includes water from food too) divided into different life stage groups. It is important to know that not all of the water you consume comes from the fluids you drink. Much of the water is actually from the foods you eat. Foods that have high water content are fresh fruits and vegetables as well as broth-based soups. Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages may cause dehydration and should be limited.

 

Dietary Reference Intakes for Water
Age Group Gender Adequake Intake*
1-3 years Males and females About 5.5 cups/day
4-8 years Males and females About 7 cups/day
9-13 years

Males

Females

About 10 cups/day

About 9 cups/day

14-18

Males

Females

About 14 cups/day

About 10 cups/day

>19 years

Males

Females

About 15.5 cups/day

About 11 cups/day

Pregnancy Females About 12.5 cups/day
Lactation 14-50 years Females About 16 cups/day

 * Adequate intake is the amount recommended to cover the needs of each life stage group; however, these amounts do not apply to every individual.

Source: Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate.


blog comments powered by Disqus