Everyone knows how important it is to hydrate. Seriously, we've been told that drinking water is almost the solution to everything. (We're looking at you, genetically-gifted supermodels that attribute it all to good 'ol H2O.) But, we all have to forget drinking eight glasses of water a day-according to Harvard Medical School experts.
Now, this isn't new news but at least we're getting even more assurance that eight eight-ounce glasses a day is just another myth. The real number depends on age, gender, and weight. Don't worry, though, we're not gonna leave it that vague. Since we've all been accustomed to measuring by the glass, experts say the ideal number ranges from four to six instead.
So you see, eight is a bit of an overkill. The average of four to six only applies to generally healthy people, however. And, we bet your doctor or nutritionist would know more about how much water intake you actually need.
"Older people don't sense thirst as much as they did when they were younger. And that could be a problem if they're on a medication that may cause fluid loss, such as a diuretic," says Harvard Medical School's Dr. Julian Seifter.
That said, water intake doesn't just come in the form of a tall glass. It also comes from the food we eat—water-rich food, to be exact—such as salad, fruits, and more.