Fact

The health benefits of water are uncontested, but how much is the 8 glasses rule a necessity to our diet?

Our doctors have always stressed the importance of staying hydrated, most of them suggesting that 8 to 9 cups would do the trick. This amount of water has also been recommended by every diet. Not only does water help our bodies lose weight, it gives us better skin, and prevents urinary tract infections. But none of these benefits have any scientific evidence to back them; nor does the suggestion that the amount of water required by our bodies on a daily basis is 8 cups.

The necessity of water to our bodies can never be underestimated. However, the amount that is required depends on a number of factors. Physical activity and environment are strong determinants. During exercise the body’s need for water is exacerbated by sweating, and weather conditions such as heat and dryness also have the same effect. The amount of water present in our food also makes a difference, as foods rich in sodium are likely to make us dehydrated. Other foods, like fruits and vegetables help hydrate the body and decrease our need for water. Finally, illnesses and pregnancy also increase the need for water.

In an attempt to debunk the myth of the 8 glasses per day, a Scottish physician, Dr. Margaret McCartney, highlighted that efforts to encourage people to drink more, such as the Hydration for Health initiative that campaigns the health benefits of water, is sponsored by the French food company Danone, which is itself the producer of the bottled waters Volvic and Evian. Her argument is that the increased hype about drinking water could be driven by companies in search of profit. Regardless of the validity of this claim, it is important to note that drinking too much water beyond a certain extent, can even be harmful. Large amounts of water cause sodium levels to drop, the effect of which is borne by our brain cells, potentially leading to decreased consciousness and hallucinations.

The importance of staying well-hydrated is undeniable. But whether we actually need 8 glasses of water a day has not been proven. Hydration needs differ among people and between different circumstances. Recommendations from the Mayo Clinic indicate that water is needed by the body until it is able to replace water lost during the day. Whether this hydration is retrieved from water is not crucial as hydration from other fluids and foods also count.