Water is one of the essential building blocks of life. Our bodies are approximately 60 percent water, with plenty of fluids needed to keep everybody hydrated. Whether you choose filtered water or flavored sparkling water, there is little as refreshing as a cold glass of water. Drinking water is an excellent way of flushing out the system, with water for diabetics lowering blood pressure. The best water bottles keep fluids cold and remind us to stay hydrated throughout the day. Here are some healthy hydration tips:

1. You can be dehydrated and not thirsty
Dehydration affects people in different ways. Feeling thirsty is one of the ways people often show initial signs of dehydration. It is possible to be dehydrated without feeling thirsty. Older people constantly report not feeling thirsty despite showing other signs of dehydration. Among the best ways of avoiding dehydration is making drinking water a part of your daily routine. Choosing one of the best water bottles helps to make water a part of your everyday routine.

2. You can drink too much water
It is possible to drink too much water and cause medical issues. This is usually a problem for athletes looking to stay hydrated during endurance races. The recommended water consumption is 15.5 cups for males and 11.5 cups for women. This is an average based on some people needing more and others less. Exercising or living in humid environments requires more water consumption each day.

3. Sports drinks are not better than water
There is a misconception that sports drinks are better for our bodies than water. Physicians and nutritionists recommend sports drinks high in electrolytes and carbohydrates for athletes exercising for at least an hour. Sports drinks were developed to replenish the bodies of athletes at the University of Florida in 1965 who were involved in high-intensity exercise. The marketing of these drinks makes people think they should drink sports drinks instead of water. High sugar, electrolytes, and carbohydrates can lead to obesity in children and adults who choose sports drinks over water. The high sugar content of sports drinks adds to tooth erosion and decay among adults and children.

4. Everyone should drink 8 glasses of water each day
The idea that everyone should drink 8 glasses of water each day has remained intact for decades. Medical experts and nutritionists have maintained the eight glasses a day myth to encourage people to drink water. The recommended amount of water for men stands at 15.5 cups per day. Women need an average of 11.5 cups of water to stay healthy. The amount of water needed varies by the time of year and the environmental conditions. Active people need more water to stay hydrated and replenish the sweat lost through physical activity. Living in an area where summer heat and humidity remain high will require more water to stay healthy and hydrated.

5. Drinking liquid is not the only way to stay hydrated
Good hydration keeps you healthy, but drinking water can be boring for some people. Among the ways of staying hydrated without drinking water is oatmeal for breakfast. Oats absorb water or milk to aid hydration at the start of the day. Your carbs can impact your hydration levels. Removing dry and heavy carbs from your diet and replacing them with vegetables is a good way of adding water. Switching from traditional pasta to zucchini noodles is a good choice because they are up to 90 percent water. Popsicles can be given an adult twist by choosing fruits over water and food colorings. Blending fruits and vegetables and adding sliced fruit before freezing makes a great way of hydrating without drinking liquids.