Too Much Water Is As Bad As Too Little Water



In the early 19th century, people had to be close to death before stooping to the low of drinking water. That’s because only those reduced to the lowest stages of poverty satisfied their thirst with water. Times have changed, and people are now drinking more water than at any other time in history. We’ve been bombarded with messages telling us that drinking water is the secret to good health, and sales of bottled water has surpassed that of soda. Fueling this appetite for water is the “8x8 rule”: the unofficial advice recommending that we drink eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day. Still, too much of a good thing can be……well……a bad thing. Over the past decade, at least 15 athletes have died from over-hydration. So, how much water should we be drinking each day? That’s a simple question with no easy answer. That’s because your individual water needs depend on many factors, including your health and how active you are. No single formula fits everyone. The generic advice is that men need about 124 ounces a day, while women only need 92 ounces. These recommendations cover fluids from water, other beverages and food. About 20% of daily fluid intake usually comes from food and the rest from drinks. Is water the only option for staying hydrated? No. In addition, beverages such as milk, juice and herbal teas are composed mostly of water.