Water is essential for life.  You can only survive a few days without it.  And being hydrated is essential for health.  Water may possibly be the most essential nutrient of them all.  Water is needed for every cell and function in your body.

Water is a huge part of your blood; it cushions your joints and aids digestion.  It helps stabilize your blood pressure and heart beat.  It helps to regulate your body temperature and helps maintain electrolyte (mineral) balance.  And that’s just a few of its roles.

Dehydration can impair mood and concentration and contribute to headaches, fatigue and dizziness.  It can reduce your physical endurance and increase the risk for kidney stones and constipation.  Extreme dehydration can cause heat stroke.

So, water is critical for life and health.

But, just as way too little water is life-threatening, so is way too much.  As with most things in health and wellness, there is a healthy balance that needs to be reached.

However, there are conflicting opinions as to how much water to drink.  Is there a magic number for everyone?  What counts toward water intake?

How much water does one need?

At one time, there was a magic number called “8×8.”  This was the recommendation to drink eight-8 oz. glasses of water (approximately 2 liters of water) every day.

Over time, we’ve realized that imposing this external “one size fits all” rule may not be the best approach.  Now, many health professionals recommend drinking according to thirst.  You don’t need to go overboard forcing down glasses of water when you’re not thirsty.  Simply pay attention to your thirst mechanism.  We have complex hormonal and neurological processes that are constantly monitoring how hydrated we are.  And for healthy adults, this system is very reliable.

Besides thirst, pay attention to how dark and concentrated your urine is.  The darker your urine, the more effort your body is making to hold on to the water it has.  Urine is still getting rid of the waste but in a smaller volume of water, so it looks darker.

There are a few other things to consider when evaluating your hydration status.  If you’re sweating a lot or are in a hot/humid climate, drink more.  Breastfeeding moms, elderly people, and people at risk for kidney stones need to drink more water, too.  People who experience vomiting and/or diarrhea also need to drink more water, as both can quickly dehydrate our bodies.  So, ditch the “one size fits all” external rule, and pay more attention to your body’s subtle cues for water.

What counts toward one’s water intake?

All fluids and foods containing water contribute to your daily needs.

Water is usually the best choice.  If you’re not drinking pure water, consider the effects that the other ingredients have on your body.  Drinks containing sugar, alcohol and caffeine will have effects besides hydration.  Sugar can mess with your blood sugar balance.  Alcohol can make you feel “buzzed.”  And caffeine can keep you awake.  Let’s talk a bit more about caffeine for a second.

Caffeine is the infamous “dehydrator,” right?  Well, not so much.  If you take high dose caffeine pills, then sure, they cause fluid loss.  But the idea that coffee and tea don’t count toward your water intake is an old myth.  While caffeine may make you have to go to the bathroom more, that effect isn’t strong enough to negate the hydrating effects of its water.  Plus, if you’re tolerant to it (for example, regularly drink it) then the effect is even smaller.  So, you don’t need to counteract your daily cup(s) of coffee and/or tea.

Also, many foods contain significant amounts of water (especially fruits and vegetables such as cabbage, cantaloupe, watermelon, strawberries, celery, spinach, lettuce, apples, pears, oranges, grapes, carrots and pineapple).  These foods are over 80% water, so they are good sources of hydration.

Thus you don’t need to count your plain water intake as your only source of hydration.  All fluids and foods with water count.

To sum up

Basically, there is no magic number for the amount of water you need.  Everyone is different.  Children, pregnant women and elderly people, for example, need more. 

Episodes of vomiting or diarrhea will also increase your short-term need for more water.  The most important thing is to pay attention to your thirst.  Other signs you need more water are dark urine, sweating, constipation and kidney stones.

Water is your best source of fluids.  But other liquids, including caffeinated ones help, too. Just be sure to consider the effects the other ingredients have on your health as well.  And many fruits and vegetables are over 80% water so don’t forget about them.

Hydration has always been a bit of an issue for me so I’d love to know your favorite way to hydrate.  Have you been following the 8×8 rule, or do you rely on messages from your body?  Please share your experience with hydration with us by commenting below.  We’d love to hear from you.