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Mel, selected from Organic Spa magazine

How Much Water Do You Really Need?

posted by Mel, selected from Organic Spa magazine Jul 30, 2009 9:03 am
filed under: Drinks, Food & Recipes, General Health, Health & Wellness
How Much Water Do You Really Need?
56 comments

Are you constantly walking around with your water bottle struggling to drink eight glasses of water a day? Most of us know that staying hydrated is good for our bodies. However, does it really improve our health, make us lose weight, or improve performance?

Water, including flavored varieties, flushes out waste materials to detoxify the body–definitely an important function. Water also maintains blood volume, allowing the body to consume adequate oxygen to improve physical performance. Contrary to popular belief however, recent studies show that drinking eight glasses of water a day does not contribute to weight control. This can only be accomplished by eating less and moving more.

The recommendation to drink eight glasses per day is a general guideline that does not take individual needs into account such as body fat percentage, caloric needs, kidney function or how much a person sweats. Older adults, young children, athletes, and those who do physical work in hot climates are at the greatest risk for dehydration. As we age or when physical activity is extreme, the thirst mechanism that normally guides us may not work. When in engaging in a high level exercise or when working in hot climates, it is good to drink eight ounces of water every 20 minutes to avoid dehydration.

For the average person, the general recommendation of eight glasses per day is fine. Tap water is fine for fluid replenishment.

However, it is important to remember that alcoholic and caffeinated beverages only count for half sue to increased loss of fluid from them. Save the sugary sport drinks for endurance activities but flavored, low-calorie waters may make it easier to achieve those eight glasses per day. With the long days of summer upon us, it’s a good idea to keep toting you water bottle around to stay hydrated.

Paulette Lambert, R.D., C.D.E., is director of nutrition for California Health & Longevity Institute located within Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. With more than 25 years experience in private practice after an extensive clinical education, Paulette has wide-ranging expereince in clinical nutrition and the development of individualized dietary plans.

Organic Spa Magazine is a national consumer lifestyle magazine about bringing spa wisdom into the modern green lifestyle. For a free digital subscription, click here.

More on Drinks (81 articles available)
More from Mel, selected from Organic Spa magazine (9 articles available)

56 comments

56 comments

add your comment »
56 comments add your comment
Tonya B.

Instead of buying flavored water you can buy sugar free drink mixes to put in your regular water.That what I do for my kids. They drink about 40oz a day. I love water and would rather drink that then anything.It's good for your body and your skin.

Karra Keehn

I will now drink more thanks

dve d.
  • dve d. says
  • Sep 14, 2009 1:15 AM

i drink plenty of coffee and that have 9/ tenths water in it so do most drinks we drink

Tiger Rose

I never have gone for preppy fads like carrying a water bottle everywhere = those goofs remind me of overgrown bottle-babies who never broke the habit, years after they were out of diapers!

I am more into using my own container, & tossing it in the back of the car, in case me or my dogs get thirsty on the run.

Also make my own Gatorade by the half-gallon from concentrate, to keep even more containers out of our landfills.

If you carry water everywhere, PLEASE, at least bring your own re-useable container & take it with you when you leave. We certainly do not need millions (& MILLIONS) more plastic containers filling up our landfills daily. Use your head, & think of all the mountains trash you otherwise cause.

Using disposable water bottles is NOT being environmentally friendly, NOR is it being fashionably cool in the least!

Angie C.

I love water, but have the bladder of a spastic gerbil! In my job, I'm lucky to get a bathroom break, so I definitely do not get enough water.

Jenny Dooley

I keep a water jug by my side all day. That way I can be certain I've had enough. Some of my daily intake of water is as ceylon tea, herbal (rosemary) tea and green tea. When I'm not feeling well I desire warm water. I've kept in mind that as we get older our thirst mechanism becomes less accurate.
Thanks Karen L. for your interesting comment. Emotional response to speech or text does affect health, especially for the chronically ill. I feel sicker if anyone around me is giving off angry vibes.

Rebecca Delage

i find it hard to drink water i hate it...i know it's good for you but.....theirs no flavor..it's just blaaaa....but i try to drink flavored water as much as i can....:)

Karen Lange

Thank heaven I'm not alone. I also heard we don't HAVE to drink so much PLAIN water. I struggle with it since I was seriously ill & they made me drink so much water, I want to vomit when I have to drink it (plain). Check out the message of water by Maseru Emoto above. A local (South African) RSE student was instrumental in bringing him to S.A. where he appeared on TV. We always bless our water (not necessarily a religious blessing) at RSE. Scientists discovered that vibration affects things, ie. sound, spoken word or music. The joke is the Pagans understand the power of the spoken word (or written). Do the Clergy understand the power of focused prayer - spoken, or have they forgotten how to instruct us to use it effectively? Remember "sticks & stones..."? Seems words can hurt, or heal. Shout obscenities at 1 & how do they feel? Whisper loving words & how does that make 1 feel? Emoto did an experiment in S.A. He placed the words Xenophobia, fear/dislike of foreigners & Ubuntu, ethical concept of African origin emphasizing community, sharing & generosity, on bottled water. Xenophobia = damaged, incomplete crystals. Ubuntu, = well formed frozen water crystals. Loving words build you up = feel good. Harsh words make you feel bad. Think about it. I dream of the day when we get kids high on music not drugs, at festivals in the mountains, & healing them simultaneously. Hopefully that day isn't too far away. If only we can save the planet for the next gene

Robert E.

I have been keeping properly hydrated for years. Drinking plenty of water would be my best health recommendation to anyone who wants to feel better. Your energy level will increase and you'll see that your digestive system will function properly as well. Try increasing your daily water intake, you will feel and see a difference.

Heidi C.

As a child I drank lots of water each day and now I am getting back to doing just that. Seems though now I prefer the water to be flavored as I age.

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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