by Roseanna Saberi

Created on: September 02, 2010

There is a common belief that people have to drink eight glasses of water a day to survive. The belief is emphasized at every turn. Strangely enough however there are entire groups of people on the planet who defy this widespread belief. Water is necessary for life, sure, but how much water exactly is needed is not so straightforward.

Bottled water companies have profited and the environment has suffered because of the marketed fear linked to not drinking enough water. People unaware that too much water can be lethal have been known to overdose on water, causing dangerous sodium loss, which is an essential electrolyte.

A person only needs as much water as quenches the thirst. The most obvious way of telling if someone is getting enough water is by how concentrated their urine is. A dark urine is indicative of inadequate water consumption. The lighter the urine, the higher the water consumption. Consistently crystal clear urine may mean too much water is being drunk. Contrary to what one might think, water is replenished through both drink and food. A piece of fruit can quench thirst.

People are normally programmed to know when they need water. An athlete needs more water than a sedentary person. Drinking a glass of water with every meal is an easy way to get enough water without worrying about getting too much water. Make more of an effort to drink water during times when the thirst instinct may be weakened, such as in hot temperatures, during exercise and when ill.

Knowing the signs of dehydration could also help in determining how much water to drink. Fatigue, mental slowness, dry skin and dry mouth with poor saliva output, loss of appetite and dizziness are all symptoms of dehydration. Drinking some water may be all that is needed to put the pep back in a lethargic person’s step.

Keeping a jug of water or fruit juices in the fridge is a painless way of making sure there is enough water around for everyone. Eating regular meals and replacing lost fluids during physical activity are also good rules of thumb.

Water sustains life but anything in excess upsets bodily equilibrium. Water is no exception. Too little water can muddle a person’s thoughts but a waterlogged brain from too much water can be harmful as well. Drink enough water to live and don’t live to drink water.

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