From the claims from various media sources to the large number of people carrying around supersized water bottles, it’s pretty clear that Americans are obsessed with hydration. But you might not need to drink as much as you think you do.
The “eight glasses of water a day” adage is reasonable but not a mandate for everyone. Individual needs vary based on weight, age, exercise habits, and even the weather. Many fail to realize that milk, fruit juice, and coffee and tea also provide fluids. Caffeine in coffee increases urine production, but the water in this drink compensates for this effect. Moreover, almost every food we eat has water in it as well, and that fluid also counts toward your daily needs. For example, a small wedge of watermelon provides 7 ounces of water.
Thirst is often a good indicator of fluid needs, though the mechanism that tells us to drink may diminish with age. And for everyone, it’s especially important to sip liquids when you exercise or if it’s hot and humid out, because you lose fluids when you sweat.
Checking the color of your urine is also a good idea because a well-hydrated person generally has light-colored urine. If your urine is dark, you’re probably dehydrated and need to step up your fluid intake.
CONCLUSION
Regarding body fluid needs, any idea that “one size fits all” is largely a myth. As a general rule, unless one is suffering from a disease, the best guide is our sense of thirst!
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