Do You Really Need to Drink 8 Glasses of Water a Day?

Are 8 Glasses of Water a Day Essential?

For as long as we can remember, we’ve been told to drink 8 glasses of water a day. But, is there any truth or science behind this? Dehydration can be dangerous, and even fatal, but water can be consumed in other ways than just drinking. Water can be drunk and even eaten… Knowing how much water we can take in from other sources, such as what we eat, do we really need to drink 8 glasses a day?

Drinking water keeps our brains active and increases productivity. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, poor concentration and headaches or dizziness. As such, it’s vital we intake enough water each day. Nearly always, your body will give tell-tale signals when you need water, and it’s important to listen to them to stay hydrated. Pay attention to your levels of thirst, the colour of your urine, and whether you have a headache. These are typical signs of dehydration, and if you experience any unusual signs, then make sure you drink some water.

Urine colour is a good way to tell if you need to drink more. If it is dark in colour, you’re dehydrated and need water. If it is pale and light, your body is hydrated. The kidneys are responsible for creating urine. If you’re dehydrated they will concentrate the urine and send signals to the brain that it needs water. The darker the urine, the less water is present.

Typically, it’s best to drink around 6 glasses of water a day, and if you split this up into sections of the day it makes sense. That means two in the morning, two in the afternoon, and two in the evening. Depending on temperature and physical exercise, the amount you should drink can also vary. If you’re using a lot of energy and sweating a lot, your body will be losing fluids. It’s essential to top these fluids up to stay hydrated. In this case, it would be sensible for you to drink 8 glasses of water a day. It’s really a case of what your body needs, and if there are signs of dehydration.

Drinking glasses of water is the most obvious way to consume water. However, many people forget that some foods are rich in water too. Foods like cucumber, celery, aubergine etc. are over 90% water. This means that when you eat them they all contribute to your overall daily water intake. As well as drinking water, making sure your diet is full of fruit and vegetables can also help you stay hydrated.

Our recommendation is to buy a large refillable water bottle and make sure you drink at least two full bottles a day. This way, you’ll find it easier to drink the recommended 1.5 litres suggested by the NHS. With your Billi tap, this is made even easier. Having cold or sparkling water at the touch of a button makes it easy to stay hydrated. With the average person spending 8 hours a day in the workplace, making sure you drink enough water at work is vital. It keeps you working a peak output, and means you’ll be drinking over half your recommended daily intake in your office!

If you’re interested in finding out more about how to keep your workforce hydrated, get in touch with our sales team. In the meantime, read our blog on hydration in the workplace.