Water is important! It helps your body function. Therefore, you need to drink a lot of water every day, not only as rehydration after a workout, practice or match.
But how much water should you drink per day? You might be surprised at the amount of water that’s considered optimal.
The age-old rule is to drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water per day. This amounts to 64 ounces of water per day, but that may not be enough. This a decent rule to live by but you still could be dehydrated even if you follow it.
According to WebMD, you should drink between a half ounce and an ounce of water per pound you weigh. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, then you should drink at least 80 ounces of water per day and as much as 160 ounces.
According to another article from the Mayo Clinic, the average male should drink about three liters of water or about 101 ounces of water per day, and the average female should drink about 2.2 liters of water or about 74 ounces of water per day.
You should NOT try to get hydrated with just one sitting of extreme water consumption, however. Spread your drinking out throughout the day. Try to make it a habit, for example by carrying a water bottle with you throughout the day.
Why should I stay hydrated, anyway?
You need to stay hydrated to perform at your best on the soccer field. If you wait until you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. You lose a tremendous amount of water while playing in a game, especially in hot weather, so you need to make sure you prepare by hydrating long before the whistle.
If you are dehydrated, you will not perform at your maximum potential. It’s that simple. Drink water to perform your best because water keeps your muscles from getting fatigued and cramping. Dehydration will also sap your motivation and cause you to run out of gas right when you need it.
Do you stay hydrated with water or do you prefer something else like a sports drink?
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