A report by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, however, broke this "eight glasses of water" rule. This report, submitted to the U.S. Congress, stated that in the context of global warming, frequent water replenishment is necessary to maintain health.
The 11-glass claim is sensational
Some experts have expressed different opinions, believing that 11 glasses of water a day is pure nonsense. The body's water needs must depend on each person's environment (temperature, humidity), health condition, and food intake, and there is no fixed standard value. Currently, there is still no conclusive evidence that the human body's need for water is related to rising temperatures. If we follow the statement at the beginning of this article, we would need to consume one-third more water daily, which could not only be unhealthy but also harmful. If water is replenished blindly, it can even lead to "water intoxication" symptoms such as weakness, rapid heartbeat, cramps, and coma.
So, how much water is considered appropriate for a healthy person to drink daily? Generally, the human body loses about 1800-2000 milliliters of water daily through urine, sweating, or skin evaporation. Therefore, it has always been believed that about 2000 milliliters of water needs to be replenished each day. However, these 2000 milliliters of water do not have to come from drinking water alone; the various foods we eat every day contain a lot of water, which should also be included in the calculation.
Therefore, deducting the 1000-1200 milliliters of water obtained from food from three meals a day, we only need to drink another 1500 milliliters of water daily, which is sufficient. The general principle is: not less than 500 milliliters a day, but not more than 3000 milliliters. People who need to replenish more water, such as those with gout or kidney stones, should follow their doctor's advice.
In fact, people often have some misconceptions about drinking water, so they should also grasp five principles:
1. Drink a glass of water in one go—this means drinking a whole glass of water (about 200 to 250 milliliters) in one go, not just taking a few sips, so that the body can truly absorb and use it.
2. Drink good water—try to avoid drinking distilled water frequently, as its water quality is too acidic and can easily harm the body, especially for people with weaker kidneys. It is better to choose high-quality mineral water.
3. Drink warm water—ice water is not good for stomach function, while drinking warm boiled water helps the body absorb it.
4. Drink water on an empty stomach—water will pass directly through the digestive tract and be absorbed by the body.
5. Drink regularly and do not hold it back—office workers often give up drinking water for fear of going to the toilet. Over time, the bladder and kidneys will be damaged, which can easily cause back pain.