Everyone knows that the most essential substance for the human body is water. After all, we’re composed of 70% of it. The thing that many people have trouble with, however, is determining what your daily water consumption should be.
Many different methods have been said to calculate how much water you should drink daily accurately. Some say to drink half your weight in ounces, and others stick to the classic eight cups daily. However, there are many benefits to drinking a gallon of water a day, no matter your size.
Keep reading to learn why drinking an entire gallon of water or 128 ounces every day is best for your hydration levels. Plus, discover tips to help ensure you get enough plain water every day.
Is a Gallon of Water a Day Too Much?
A gallon of water a day may seem like a lot of water, especially considering the old saying that you should drink eight cups of water a day. One gallon is equivalent to 16 cups – double that amount!
So is a gallon of water a day too much water? For most people, no. In short, there is no limit to the amount of water a person can drink daily, within reason, of course.
On the extreme side, drinking too much water too fast can cause water intoxication which lowers the sodium levels in your blood, causing hyponatremia, which can be dangerous.
However, water intoxication is extremely rare and only occurs with an excessively high water intake. So a gallon of water a day is far from harmful, as long as you aren’t drinking it all at once!
Now that you know that it’s safe to drink a gallon of water a day, let’s check out the health benefits of doing this.
Top 5 Benefits of Drinking a Gallon of Water a Day
The benefits of drinking a gallon of water a day are virtually endless. Beyond proper hydration, drinking ample water is good for every aspect of your health and well-being.
To demonstrate, here are the top five benefits of drinking a gallon of water a day.
1. Balance body fluids
When your body doesn’t get enough water, your brain feels it and tries to do damage control. Your brain will trigger a thirst mechanism to tell your body it’s time to drink water. This may result in discomfort, as you’ll experience dry mouth and irritation in your throat.
Moreover, your blood circulation and other bodily fluids are also thrown out of balance, meaning your body will not function properly. You may experience tiredness and fatigue.
Drinking a gallon of water daily is a great way to ensure that your body fluids are balanced and that everything is functioning as it should be.
2. Get more energy
We go through periods of low energy from time to time. While we tend to go straight to blaming it on a lack of sleep, low energy is often a result of chronic dehydration.
When your daily water intake is a gallon of water, you’ll see your energy improve throughout the day. Better yet, you’ll also sleep better with higher bouts of energy during the day.
3. Control your hunger
Many times, what you think of hunger is actually thirst. Mistaking thirst for hunger is common, and it’s hard to recognize the difference when you’re already in the habit of eating whenever you feel an urge.
Next time you think you’re hungry, think about the circumstances. Did you just eat? Have you eaten a large amount today? If so, you might just be thirsty. Try upping your daily fluid intake and drinking water.
4. Clear up your skin
While many factors affect the state of your skin, water often plays a big part in providing you with clear, smooth skin.
Dehydrated skin tends to look parched and flaky. Moisturizing your skin from the outside is essential, but it’s even more important to drink enough water and moisturize your skin from within.
Drinking a gallon jug of water also helps curb certain skin conditions and slows the formation of wrinkles.
5. Reduce headaches
The last benefit of drinking a gallon of water a day is that you’re likely to experience fewer headaches.
Headaches are one of the earliest symptoms of dehydration. So if you’re prone to headaches and want to avoid them, increasing your water intake is the best place to start.
Tips to Drink a Gallon of Water a Day
Although the benefits of drinking a gallon of water a day are clear, it’s easier said than done. If you aren’t used to drinking that much water a day, it can be difficult to squeeze it all in.
To help you out, here are a few tips for increasing your water intake:
- Set a daily goal and try to achieve it. You don’t have to start with a huge jump in terms of water increase right away. Perhaps start with half of a gallon and work your way up.
- Bring a reusable water bottle wherever you go so that water is always readily available.
- Set reminders on your phone to drink water every half an hour or so.
- Skip the sugary drinks! Drink a glass of water with each meal.
- Eat foods that are higher in water, such as fruits.
- Drink one glass first thing when you wake up and last thing before bed.
- Watch your activity levels. You may need to drink more to meet your hydration needs after a workout to replace fluid loss, especially in hot weather.
With these tips, you’ll increase your water intake in no time!
The Verdict: A Gallon of Water a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
There are so many benefits to drinking a gallon of water a day that it’s worth putting effort into increasing your water intake.
The main takeaway is that, although a gallon of water sounds like a lot, your body will thank you for it.
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