Myth Busted: 8 Glasses of Water a Day

I spent some time last week dipping into The Omnivore's Dilemma, and was happy to see my common-sense suspicions confirmed: Eating fat doesn't make you fat, nor does eating cholesterol give you heart disease. Now a couple of scientists have found that drinking large amounts of water in the pursuit of health and beauty does.... absolutely  nothing:

Goldfarb and Negoianu examined what Goldfarb called "four major myths" regarding claims of a benefit for extra water drinking: that it leads to more toxin excretion, improves skin tone, makes one less hungry and reduces headache frequency.

"Our bottom line was that there was no real good science -- or much science at all -- behind these claims, that they represent probably folklore," Goldfarb said.

   

On that note, I'm going to have another cup of morning coffee from Ristretto Roasters.

Comments

[Monica]

Well, I don't know what water does then, because if I don't drink a whole lot of it everyday, I feel and look like crap. (And no, I'm not diabetic – I've had the water habit for a good 20 years now.) What this news is good for is letting those who hate water off the hook. Hooray for the coffee and Diet Coke drinkers!

[Catherine Lees]

I heard the advice was taken from a report issued in the 1950s which said we should drink two litres of water a day but went on to day that most of this water would be derived from the food we eat. Amazing how things can be taken out of context and gain credence!

[Franziska]

I was relieved to read this result... I hate having to go to the toilet every five minutes!

[erase wrinkles]

I have heard that they really never said to drink 8 glasses of water a day but at least 8 glasses of liquid a day is ideal. So that includes juices, tea, coffee, etc...

[Skin life]

Perhaps we should only drink water when our body needs it? whether or not this myth is truely busted or in a few years time, another scientist might tell us to drink a gallon of water a day. Just bear this in our mind that, to consume anything that is " too much " or " too little" will do harm to our body. We will just stick to moderate consumption in this case.

[Lindsay Nobran]

I agree with everything in moderation...there is no point in starting a new 12 step program. If I have to quit drinking water I might as well get a rewards card with Betty Ford.

[Sandy]

Great Post!

I'm not a huge water drinker at all and I have to say that I agree with Franziska. As long as you consume enough liquids a day I believe that you should receive the same results.

Brandy Edwards

[decencia/ディセンシア]

Interesting post!
I heard the advice was taken from a report issued in the 1950s which said we should drink two litres of water a day but went on to day that most of this water would be derived from the food we eat. Amazing how things can be taken out of context and gain credence!
I'm enjoying your article. Thank you very much.

[HappyGal]

I think this report is bogus. I took a Psych. class where the instructor said he had a disease that he said was cured after he started drinking 8 glasses of water a day. Normally it would be good to listen to our bodies and follow our appetites, but over time of living such unhealthy life styles we have conditioned our bodies to crave foods high in sugar, and liquids like coffee. If I don't drink at least 8 glasses of water my skin starts to become dehydrated, and I develop wrinkles around my eyes.

Maybe its just "folklore", but if it makes my skin look good, I'm all for it.