We have all heard we that ‘we need 8 glasses of water a day’ but there is no scientific research to back this up and some health professionals think this requirement is “nonsense.”
No one is arguing that our bodies don’t need to be properly hydrated. We are in fact 75 percent water and all that, but how much water we need to actually drink to stay hydrated is another story.
I’ve personally experienced this! I barely drank water for TWO YEARS and stayed fully hydrated. How I accomplished that will become obvious.
How Did The 8 Glasses a Day Idea Come About?
It all began in 1945, when the U.S. Food and Nutrition Board published: “A suitable allowance of water for adults is 2.5 liters daily in most instances. An ordinary standard for diverse people is 1 milliliter for each calorie of food. Most of this quantity is contained in prepared foods.”
Since then, The British Dietetic Association has declared that an average adult should drink 10.5 cups of water per day.
Also, the Journal of the American Dietetic Association says the average sedentary man should drink 12 glasses of water a day, and the average sedentary woman 9 glasses per day.
The truth is water is an essential nutrient for life. Without water, we would die in a few days. No other nutrient deficiency has such a profound effect. According to reports from doctors, seventy-five percent of Americans may suffer from chronic dehydration.
Should You Really Drink That Much Water?
To drink 8 glasses of water a day is “thoroughly debunked nonsense,” being spread by bottled water companies in order to churn up more profit, says Dr. Margaret McCartney, a general practitioner from Scotland.
Then there are unfounded claims that older adults need to drink more water.
“… Healthy older adults maintain water input, output and balance comparable to those of younger adults and have no apparent change in hydration status.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
So How Do We Stay Hydrated?
If you read the first water requirement from the US Food and Nutrition Board you will probably notice the “2.5 Liters per day part”. What everyone has been failing to notice is the last sentence which says… “Most of this quantity is contained in prepared foods”.
You DO eat prepared foods don’t you?
Yes. We can get water fluids from our foods, especially fruits and vegetables. See below the few examples of food with high water content.
Food: Percent Water by Weight
- Lettuce (1/2 cup) 95
- Watermelon (1/2 cup)92
- Broccoli (1/2 cup) 91
- Grapefruit (1/2) 91
- Orange juice (3/4 cup) 88
- Carrot (1/2 cup) 87
- Apple (1 medium) 84
- Kidney beans, boiled (1/2 cup) 67
You can take in lots of water from the food you consume daily.
Staying Hydrated is Easy!
Increase Water Intake PLUS More Fruits and Vegetables Then You May Not Need 8 Glasses of Water
Most of us do need to drink more water, particularly when exercising and when it’s hot but it’s just as important that we consume more fruits and vegetables.
Consuming more fruits and vegetables offers a host of health benefits beyond just hydration.
- Fruits and vegetables are essential in creating acid/alkaline balance for your body. Read: 10 Tips To Create Acid/Alkaline Balance.
- Fruits and vegetables are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and other natural substances that your body needs.
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“A growing body of research shows that fruits and vegetables are critical to promoting good health … most people need to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables they currently eat every day,” states Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Consuming more vegetables is the easiest way I know to lose weight!
- When you are drinking water make sure you are not filling your body with chemicals. I know that it was making me ill a long time ago and have always drank filtered water. Here is the water filter I am using and very happy with it. The only way to remove fluoride is to use a reverse osmosis system and some are better than other ways. When I did my research this is the one I decided on.
APEC Water System, 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System
I have always drink water that is filtered all day and first thing in the morning from a good water filter and have done so for decades.
The water tastes so clean and seems sweet. It is the best water filter I have used in my home. This is the filter I am happily using:
APEC Water Systems Top Tier-Built in USA-Ultra Safe, Premium 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System
One of the problems with reverse osmosis is that it removes the minerals. To solve that what you need is to add a filter to remineralize the water. Here is the one I found.
iSpring FA15 10-inch Inline 3-Layer Alkaline Replacement Water Filter Cartridge with Mineral Balls, Calcite and Corosex
• Includes Mineral Stone and Calcite
• Improves the taste of RO water by adding minerals
• Raises pH by 0.5-0.8
• Can be added to any under-sink water filter or RO system
• Updated FA15 Alkaline Mineral Filters are built with a secure push-fit quick connection. It allows faster filter replacement. If you have trouble installing the filters, please refer to the user manual or contact the manufacturer.
Do YOU Need To Hydrate?
If you have any of these symptoms, you should be drinking more water and/or eating more fruits and vegetables.
- Best way to know: “If your urine becomes darkly colored, you’re dehydrated. The urine should be light, straw-coloured,” Grace Webb, Assistant Director for Clinical Nutrition at New York Hospital. Note: if you are consuming riboflavin (vitamin B2, also found in most multi-vitamins), it turns your urine bright yellow.
- Thirst and a dry mouth are not the first signs of dehydration.
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Low energy
- Confusion or Dizziness
- Weakness in muscles
- Dry skin
- Headache
When and How You Drink Water Can Also Make a Big Difference
Proper timing, temperature, and quality of water can help to improve digestion, reduce constipation, balance in the body, and many other ways. Read more here: Tips For Drinking Water For Maximum Health Benefits.
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I think at the morning and up to 8 pm we have to drink a glass of water every 2 hours interval while after 8 pm we have to cut and just have a small amount. Drinking water during the day time will keep us hydrated and releasing the toxins from our body while cutting drinking water at night time will assist in having a restful sleeping. Although Water is very important in filling the body cells as well. Thank you for the post Daiana