We take our vitamins, we eat our lean protein and leafy veggies, but what else can we do to grow healthy hair, that is lush, soft and supple?
Reach for a glass of water! You can take all the hair vitamins in the world, but if you’re not consuming enough water to wash them down with, or enough to effectively cleanse your system, you’re wasting your time. The human body is composed of approximately 60-80% water. When deprived of adequate water to sustain cell health and reproduction, the body becomes dehydrated, which directly impacts hair growth (it also makes your lips dry and chapped, which is not a good look under lipstick…trust me, I know).
So, how much is enough?
According to the Mayo Clinic, they are 3 different theroies:
- Replacement approach. The average urine output for adults is about 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) a day. You lose close to an additional liter of water a day through breathing, sweating and bowel movements. Food usually accounts for 20 percent of your total fluid intake, so if you consume 2 liters of water or other beverages a day (a little more than 8 cups) along with your normal diet, you will typically replace the lost fluids.
- Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Another approach to water intake is the “8 x 8 rule” — drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (about 1.9 liters). The rule could also be stated, “drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day,” as all fluids count toward the daily total. Though the approach isn’t supported by scientific evidence, many people use this basic rule as a guideline for how much water and other fluids to drink.
- Dietary recommendations. The Institute of Medicine advises that men consume roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day.
Taken from The Mayo Clinic.
I’ve also heard of another theory: Take your weight, divide it in half, and drink that much water in ounces. For example:
I weigh 103 pounds, so I’m suppose to drink about 50 ounces a day…I usually get in about 34 ounces or so.
So, ladies, whatever theory you choose to buy into, just DRINK UP!
Later Gators,
Nik
P.S. For Quick Reference:
1 cup= 8 ounces
48 oz = 1.5 liters
1.5 liters= 6 cups
