Your Personal Best: Staying Hydrated

As the weather gets cooler, you may not be thinking about the importance of hydration with water.

According to the U.S. Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, men should be consuming 15 cups of water a day and women should be consuming 11 cups of water a day.

You can’t rely on thirst to tell you you’re dehydrated, Dr. Milady Murphy said, and it’s important to drink water throughout the day.

“Water improves cognition, lowers your risk of heart attack and stroke and keeps blood pressure in check,” Murphy said. It also improves joint mobility.

As you age, it’s important to work with your doctor and discuss how much water you should be drinking, especially if you have underlying medical conditions or are taking certain types of medications.