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New Study Just Further Debunked the 8 Glasses of Water a Day Rule

  • October 11, 2016

New research further debunks the idea that drinking eight glasses of water is necessary to stay adequately hydrated and maintain good health, according to Science Alert. While many studies have been done on what the correct amount of water consumption should be, this is the first time the actual mechanism that regulates fluid intake and stops us from over-drinking has been identified.

The study also affirms what I’ve been saying for years: that everyone’s hydration needs are not only different, but that often people mistake their thirst for hunger. This isn’t just pure hype. Researchers have found that adults who were chronically under-hydrated had higher body mass index (BMI) and were more likely to be obese compared to well-hydrated adults.

While this doesn’t definitively prove that being thirsty causes weight gain, there are studies that have concluded that increasing your water consumption when on a diet does appear to be helpful for weight loss.

So how do you know what your proper hydration level is? First, ask yourself: Are you thirsty? It seems a little too obvious, but if you’re thirsty you’re probably dehydrated. So pour yourself a glass of clean, pure water and drink up.

Next, look at the color of your urine. If you’re drinking enough water, your urine should be a light-colored yellow (be mindful that some vitamin supplements can darken your urine, however).

And finally, how frequently are you urinating? A healthy person urinates on average about seven or eight times a day. If your urine is scant or if you haven't urinated in several hours, you may need more water.