3 Day boost Get Yourself Hydrated

Simple ways to take in the right amount of water for you

- By Arielle Weg

You might not think too much about going to the bathroom, but you probably should. It can indicate how well hydrated you are, which is important for joint, skin, and immune system health, explains Natasha Bhuyan, M.D., national medical director at One Medical. Not drinking enough water can affect daily functioning and long-term mental agility, brain health, and chronic health problems like yurtgkidney disease and diabetes, says Stavros Kavouras, Ph.D., an assistant dean and a professor of nutrition at Arizona State University.

And that old-school eight glasses-a-day rule isn't so simple, Dr. Bhuyan says. Food and drink intake, activity level, the weather, alcohol consumption, and more can play a part in how much water is right for you, explains Angel Planells, M.S., R.D.N., a Seattle-based national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.