Water you drinking?

In this very hot weather, a lot of my clients have been asking how much water is the right amount to drink.

There is no single answer to this question as everyone has different needs. The correct amount of water depends on many things, including the weather, humidity, amount of exercise and types of foods being eaten.

Everyone knows that you need to drink more in hot weather, but you might also need to drink more in environments that can dehydrate you, such as air-conditioned rooms.

Other times when your hydration requirements are increased are during strenuous exercise or after a bout of diarrhoea or vomiting.

As well as from drinks, we also get water from many foods. Fruits and vegetables are a good source of water, which is why we particularly enjoy eating them on hot days. If you are eating lots of salads, then you might not need to drink as much water.

Although there are many recommendations for how much water to drink, the best amount is the one that means you are never feeling thirsty and leaves you producing urine that is transparent yellow to pale yellow in colour. If it is dark yellow, then you might need a drink of water now! (Any other colours should be referred to your GP, although some foods can temporarily change the colour of your urine.) If you are feeling thirsty, then you have probably also left it too long without drinking.

In this current climate, I would recommend keeping a bottle of water with you at all times and sipping from it regularly.