Attention Caiman Nation!
 
Schools almost in session and summer is nearing a close...don't be fooled...you still need to hydrate!  Staying hydrated shouldn't be something we only practice in the summer months as hydration is an essential element to healthy living.  Here are some FAQs about water consumption:
 
How much water do you really need?
 
According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, women should consume 91 oz. a day, and men need 125 oz.—a good deal more than the 64 oz. (8 cups) generally recommended.  Approximately 45 to 50 percent of daily water intake comes from drinking fluids, about 35 percent from eating food and the rest from metabolism.
 
 
If I'm thirsty, am I already dehydrated?
 
No. "You are under hydrated, not totally dehydrated. Thirst is a signal that your body would like more fluid," says Nancy Clark, M.S., R.D., Boston-area sports nutritionist and author of Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook (Human Kinetics, 2003).  Hydration is measured by blood concentration (e.g., the concentration of sodium in your blood)--the higher the concentration, the more dehydrated you are. When this concentration increases by just two percent, you get thirsty."
 

Are sports drinks better than water?
 
Sometimes. Nutritionists confirm that "Sports drinks are designed to be taken during exercise that lasts for more than an hour," "They are particularly helpful for athletes because they contain a little sugar to fuel the muscles and the brain, as well as a little sodium to enhance fluid absorption and retention."
 

Is cold water better for your body than water at room temperature?
 
No. "The reasons that cooled liquids (55 degrees Fahrenheit) are recommended for rehydrating--specifically for athletes--are several-fold,  including the facts that they empty the stomach faster than room-temperature fluids, cool the body down a little and may increase the willingness to drink," says another leading nutritionist.
 

Is sipping your water better than gulping it if I am thirsty?

Sipping your water is always best as it takes more absorption time and the body converts the water properly versus excreting it from the body too quickly.

What's "App"ening?..Sharaine answers:

…a new cutting edge way of keeping up with your goal of daily water intake, download "Waterlogged" on your ITunes App Store or Google Play ("WaterLog" on Androids) for free.  Details: You will spend less than 60 seconds a day tracking your water by using photos of your favorite containers.  It has been featured by Dr. Oz, Apple and Lifehacker and used by more than half-million people around the world.