Quickly Rehydrate Your Body With IV Hydration
Staying hydrated helps your body function at its best whether you’re working out, spending time in the sun, or recovering from an illness. Most of the time, rehydrating your body is as simple as grabbing a glass of water. How much should you drink in a single day?
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends the following daily fluid intake:
- 3.7 liters (15.5 cups) for men
- 2.7 liters (11.5 cups) for women
These amounts are a rough guideline, since a person’s age, activity level, or medical conditions may require additional fluids. Professional athletes, people with chronic illnesses, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may need to drink more water than the recommendations above. Acute illnesses (such as a cold or the flu) can also dehydrate you. Not only does illness put more demands on your body, staying hydrated when ill can be difficult when you’re feeling nauseous or sleeping more than usual.
Why get an IV to rehydrate your body instead of grabbing a glass of water? Plain water does not contain electrolytes, which are minerals that help your body function normally. Your body loses electrolytes naturally throughout the day, particularly when you are exerting yourself. Since your body does not produce electrolytes on its own, these minerals must be replenished from outside sources such as food, drinks, supplements, or IV hydration.