Water Myths

by Deborah English — November 23, 2007

Drink eight glasses of water a day. Well, that's the official advice. Funnily enough, the recommendation is rumored to have sprung from an incomplete reading of an American Food and Nutrition Board recommendation that we drink one milliliter of water for each calorie of food we eat - that's about 2.2 quarts (2 liters) a day. However, what wasn't reported is that we can consume a large amount of that water in the foods we eat. For instance; eating fresh fruit, vegetables and hot soups all help you to keep hydrated.

And here's another myth-buster: when it comes to replenishing our fluid levels, drinking tea and coffee does actually count. Sure, caffeine has a diuretic effect, but according to a study by the Center of Human Nutrition in Omaha, not enough to totally discount the fluid content. But don't get too excited. The study also concluded that your wine at dinner doesn't count as fluid replenishment because alcoholic drinks cause a net fluid loss. Of course, there are health concerns with drinking caffeinated and alcoholic drinks as well, so moderation is the key.

And for the "water-shy," the good news is, if you drink a couple of coffees, a green tea, and a smoothie with a cup of low-fat milk or soy, that's about 1.3 quarts (1.25 liters); that's perfectly utilizable fluid before you even have a single glass of water!

Listen carefully to your body. Drink when you are thirsty and anticipate your thirst. For instance, if you partake in normal amounts of exercise such as a 45-minute walk, 60-minute aerobic class, or a 30-minute jog, drink a big glass of water about an hour before you start and then again after you finish. This should keep your fluid levels at their optimum.