“Eight Glasses of Daily Water is Mythology”
Everywhere, people are carrying bottles of water and taking frequent sips from them. Despite the seemingly admonition to “drink at least eight 8-oz glasses of water a day” (with a reminder that beverages containing caffeine and alcohol do not count), rigorous proof for this is missing. You don’t have to consume all the water you need through drinks. Americans get nearly 20% of their fluid intake from food. A 2002 study failed to find any scientific studies to support the eight, eight-ounce glasses (8 x 8) on a daily basis. Surveys of food and fluid intake on thousands of adults of both genders strongly suggest that such large amounts are not needed because the surveyed persons were not overtly ill. This conclusion is supported by published studies showing that caffeinated drinks (and, to a lesser extent, mild alcoholic beverages like beer in moderation) may be counted toward the daily total. However, large intakes of fluid, equal to and greater than 8 × 8, are advisable for the treatment or prevention of some diseases and certainly are called for under special circumstances, such as vigorous work and exercise, especially in hot climates.
