Are You Drinking Enough Water?
When it comes to staying hydrated, many women follow the old rule of thumb: 8 glasses of water a day. But does that guideline really, excuse the pun, hold water? And what about sports drinks? Are they more or less effective than H2O? Experts weigh in on the importance of hydration – as well as how, when and where to get the fluids your body needs…
Do you diligently keep a water bottle handy at all times – on your desk, inside the car, beside the bed – to ensure you stay hydrated with 64 ounces of water a day?
You don’t have to. It turns out the 8-cup rule may be unnecessary.
How much water is needed to stay healthy depends on you and your lifestyle, says Barbara Rolls, Ph.D., professor of Nutritional Sciences and the Helen A. Guthrie Chair in Nutrition at Pennsylvania State University.
“Some people are thirsty all the time,” she says. “And some don’t need much and don’t get thirsty often – and they’re just fine.”
Eight glasses of water a day “are recommended to ensure that Americans consume adequate fluid each day and avoid dehydration,” says Bob Murray, Ph.D., who has done research on exercise science and sports nutrition.
