We have all heard of the importance of drinking water. In fact, from when we were young many people were repeatedly told that you need to get at least 8 glasses of water per day. Despite the fact that we all KNOW that we should drink lots of water, many fail to get the adequate intake. Or so it seems.

What is Adequate Water Intake?

It turns out that the assumption that we need 8 cups of water per day is entirely false… to an extent. That is the average for people to be properly hydrated, but that is not the case for everyone. In fact, by the very definition of average it means that half of the people will need less than 8 cups of water. And to say that it is 8 cups of plain water is just silly.

Water intake comes in all sorts of forms. For instance, you could drink 8 cups of water from the tap every day, and feel as though you are getting the bare minimum. But if you eat any fruit, vegetables, meats, or basically any other food, you are getting even more water than that; possibly quite a bit more.

But water intake doesn’t have to be water. And it doesn’t have to be juice, tea, or anything like that either. Being properly hydrated can be the result of drinking coffee. In fact many studies have shown that those who drink coffee are actually better hydrated than the non-coffee drinker. Because they are at least consuming some liquid, even if their urinary processes are sped up.

On top of all that, keep in mind that not everyone needs 8 cups of water. In fact forcing yourself to drink 8 cups of water when you don’t need it does absolutely nothing for you (other than make you use the bathroom more often). Instead, the general consensus is to drink water (or liquid) when you feel thirsty. Don’t let yourself get parched, but there is no need to intake liquid when your body is not calling for liquid.

Medical Exceptions

Now there are exceptions to every rule. Even if your body design states that you only need about 6 cups of water each day, there are times when you need more. For instance if you are sick, drinking fluids helps to speed up the recovery by constantly flushing toxins from the body. Drinking teas, chicken broth, water, and other healthy liquids, even when you don’t feel thirsty, helps to restore health. The same goes for those who suffer from migraines or other types of headaches and body pains. More hydration can help reduce discomfort.

Next time someone gets after you for not drinking enough water, you don’t have to feel ashamed. Simply tell them that you are listening to your bodies cues, and you are drinking water when your body tells you that you need to drink water.