How much water to drink in a day?

You may have heard that “you should drink 8 glasses of water a day”, as this has been talked for some time.  However, this is not true and there is no science to support it, according to recent health information update.

Water is the best beverage recommended to consume by health and nutritional professionals; but it’s certainly not the only source of hydration. Water is present in food, fruits and vegetables. It’s in juice, in beer, in tea and coffee as well. Human body naturally balances the hydration from food and beverages during usual intake and activities. That’s why people may not feel thirsty or the need to drink 8 glasses of water a day. At times of certain circumstances, such as during intense physical activities or under extreme heat, the body will increase its needs for more water and trigger the brain for action command.

To share my personal experience, I found that 8 glasses of water a day is too much. With all beverages combined, a total of 6 – 7 glasses of liquid consumption a day are quite sufficient. This amount is inclusive of 350 mL green tea for a two-hour workout session at the gym.

Contrary to some stories you may have heard, there’s actually no real scientific proof that, for otherwise healthy people, drinking extra water has any health benefits. For instance, no evidence was found that drinking more water keeps skin better hydrated or wrinkle free. To note, for people with renal or cardiac malfunctions, large water intake may burden kidney function or increase cardiac work load.

Conclusion statement: There is no formal recommendation for a daily amount of water people need, as individual threshold varies based on diet, geological location and climate, body surface area and activities. Therefore, drinking 8 glasses of water a day should not be a universal standard.

​Feel free to contact qualitylifeforum@outlook.com for your health coaching needs.

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Disclaimer: This information is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for personal conditions.
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