How much water do you really need?

There’s no question that staying hydrated is a vital part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But where do we get the “eight 8-ounce glasses of water” thing anyway?

It turns out, nobody knows. Some believe it began as early as the late 1700s when doctors believed water to be a powerful healing agent. Others believe that doctors in the 1940s were influenced by the “liquid industry” in order to boost sales (see more). Regardless of its origin, this common myth has made its way into the foundations of our health practices.

But here’s the kicker: it may not even be true.

According to an article posted by the New York Times in 2015, “It’s just not true. There is no science behind it.” The truth is, there is no universal answer. How much water you need is dependent on many factors (like how often you exercise and the quality of your diet). We intake a surprisingly large amount of water through the foods we eat and we all have different bodies and different life styles.

It’s been proven that the declaration that every human must intake at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily has no scientific basis. Listen to your body. If you find yourself thirsting often, you probably need to up your daily water intake. We all need to drink plenty of water in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle- so drink up!