Say researchers from the University of Pennsylvania who conducted a study to test these theories (which will be published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology).
We all know that our bodies need water, but nobody quite knows exactly how much. Let’s take a look at where this misconception began, shed some light on water and hydration and look at some more realistic water goals.
Let’s be clear on something right out of the shoot. Water is the hub of all chemical processes in the body and the king of all nutrients. We should be drinking it daily.
Where did the 8 glasses/day gospel originate?
Dr. Frederick Stare suggested this theory in a book “Nutrition for Good Health” published in 1974 (“theory” being the
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But here’s the catch: This intake is satisfied not only from water intake, but also from other fluids, the food we eat and the metabolic processes required to break down that food.
water in foodsJuice and milk contribute to hydration and (surprisingly enough) so do caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. I probably don’t have to tell you though, that alcoholic beverages are not recommended to help you meet your fluid
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Drink water whenever you can – try to have a glass with each meal, and consume it while you are exercising. Use common sense when hydrating during exercising – especially in hot weather.
You need not, however count empty bottles, or stress if you fall a glass or two short of your daily “requirement”.
How much water do you drink?
References:
Stare, FJ, and McWilliams M. Nutrition for Good Health. Fullerton, CA: Plycon, 1974, p. 175
Grandjean, AC, Reimers KJ, Bannick KE, and Haven MC. The effect of caffeinated, non-caffeinated, caloric and non-caloric beverages on hydration. J Am Coll Nutr 19: 591-600, 2000.
Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter. New Consumption Guidelines for Water Sodium, Potassium. April, 2004
THE PHYSICIAN AND SPORTSMEDICINE – VOL 31 – NO. 7 – JULY 2003. New Hydration Recommendations.
Casa DJ: Proper hydration for distance running: identifying individual fluid needs. Available at http://www.usatf.org.
Weinberg, A, and Minaker K. Council of Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association: dehydration evaluation and management in older adults. JAMA 274: 1552-1556,