Must we really drink 8 glasses of water daily even if we are not thirsty?
The dictum of drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day has become accepted wisdom. Doctors, nutritionists, naturopaths all recommend it. The 8 x 8 rule is followed almost slavishly. People carry water bottles everywhere fueling our bottled water culture. It's totally acceptable nowadays to sip water anywhere, anytime…even libraries relented in allowing drinks into their sanctuaries.
Ruefully, I never quite mastered the 8 x 8 rule…no, not for lack of trying, it just never worked for me no matter what incentives I set myself. All I acquired was a bad conscience that I wasn't drinking enough.
So what's the science behind the 8 x 8 rule? The British Medical Journal calls it a medical myth that we all need to drink upwards of 64 ounces of water everyday. Other studies by Valtin and Barr confirm that there is no scientific evidence behind the 8 x 8 rule.
Does that mean that we don't need to drink water? Not at all! Water is essential to good health, it's just that the amount varies with each individual and circumstance. Water needs depend on many factors including your body build, your health, your activity level and where you live. Also keep in mind that our fluid intake comes from many sources other than water. On average, food provides about 20 percent of total water intake. Many fruits and vegetables are high in water content which all count towards the overall replenishment of fluids. For a good overview of how much you should drink every day, check out the Mayo Clinic's recommendations. By the way, if the 8 x 8 rule works for you, do not abandon it by all means, just be aware that the one-size-fits-all dogma isn't for everyone!
Further reading:
Fact or Fiction? You must drink 8 glasses of water daily: Do healthy people really need liquids even when they are not thirsty? (Scientific American)
Seven Medical Myths. (Dr. Andrew Weil)
World Water Day! (Health and Wellness blog)
One thought on “Must we really drink 8 glasses of water daily even if we are not thirsty?”
Bottled water has made it easier for people on the go to follow the eight glasses per day rule. Healthy living is a modern-day mantra that all of us have come to accept. Let us keep in mind that staying healthy is the key to living life to the fullest.