Busting The 8-Glasses-A-Day Myth

(CBS)  A new report throws water on the long-held belief that eight glasses of water a day is good for your health.

That just doesn't hold water, according to doctors at the University of Pennsylvania, CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes reports.

"If you're thirsty, drink," said Dr. Stanley Goldfarb. "If you're not thirsty, you needn't drink."

The researchers looked at all of the studies out there and found no evidence that drinking lots of water has lots of benefits.

Some common misconceptions, as told by passers-by:

It cleans all the toxins that are in your body.

Your body weight divided by two, that's how many fluid ounces you should at least be bringing in.

Drinking water improves your skin tone.

As for upping your intake to improve skin tone or reduce headaches: "There was never a scientific basis for it," Goldfarb said.

And despite what all the diet books say, there's also no proof that filling up with water will make you less hungry.

"Those individuals that enjoy going to the bathroom would benefit from high fluid intake. But others definitely would not," Goldfarb said.

So where did the idea of eight glasses a day come from? Nobody really knows.

The researchers argue that a healthy adult only needs to consume the amount of water they lose every day - about a quart-and-a-half, or four to six glasses.

For some, the findings may be hard to swallow.

"I sort of think the more the better," said one young woman. "I don't think you can drink too much."

Maybe not, but researchers say some of our most cherished beliefs about the power of water could be … all wet.

[mpiercearrow]

Yeah, as a former professional boxer, I never drank more water than I needed to replenish what was sweated out. I probably drink less than the average person and my skin is supple, and my overall health is quite good for being 50.

[daughtertwo]

Grape and Raisin had a race. Raisin fell down and broke his face. Grape ran by and fell over a gate, but bounced back up because of his water weight.

[baileyccc]

ncdragonfly you are a rare one that knows exactly what is going on. I tip my hat to you.

[ncdragonfly]

Some of you mentioned the woman in CA that died as a result of a radio promotion - she downed close to a gallon of water in less then 3-4 hours - She died b/c her salts/electrolytes were diluted to the point her body ceased to function - she should have at least gotten an honorable mention for a Darwin Award. Drinking a gallon of water over the course of a whole day is NOT deadly and you should of course increase your intake to the desired level over time - your body is a marvelous thing and will ADAPT to the increased intake.

Yes - you DO get fluid from foods - BUT The TYPICAL American Diet (processed, high is sugar & sodium & devoid of anything resembling a fruit or veggie) actually requires MORE additional fluids not only b/c there is no fluid in it to speak of but your body uses extra water to process all that c**p. I drink at least 3 quarts a day and pay for it when I don''t in the form of chapped lips, dry skin, lethargy among other things

This article is only true if you WANT to start having health problems and I would look to see who last made a deposit to Dr Goldfarbs account - most likely someone in the accounting dept of a pharmaceutical company.

[eglobalbrad]

This doctor is a farce. Dr. Stanley Goldfarb of the University of Pennsylvania says, "If you want to throw away your water bottle, feel free to do so."

I wouldn%u2019t believe anything he says. Please go to WaterCure dot com. Every disease that is known to man has been help by water. Our bodies are 80% water and when our body does not have enough water the first signs of dehydration are acid reflux and constipation. Over time dehydration, acidosis and free radicals cause disease.

This latest wave of attempts to discredit water comes from the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Nephrology means "the study of kidneys," for all the non-medical folks reading this, and the aforementioned journal caters to medical professionals who earn their living from kidney problems caused by dehydration! Thus, this campaign to tell people to stop drinking water is a fantastic way to boost kidney problems (including kidney stones) and generate more repeat business for kidney specialists.

[bgwinnett]

Since I started drinking 3 pints of water a day for the last month, my skin tone improved considerably plus spots have stopped appearing, or unless it could be something else?

[darnedsocks]

I think this advice got started, because health & fitness experts say it helps you to lose weight.

[hoosiermoon]

What works for me is to drink 2 beers at breakfast, 2 at lunch, 2 at dinner, and 2 before bed. Seems to be a good schedule for me.

[tmonta1]

I agree with CPTDANO. Moved to a country nearly 20 years ago where water with meals--and outside meals--is a basic habit. Took me awhile to get used to it but I definitely see the benefit of drinking clear water over even Diet Sodas. By the way, lost over 50 lbs in the first 5 years here and despite three kids, never gained it back. America needs to re-vamp it''s dietary habits and eat unprocessed foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and even real butter and cream in moderate quantities. And water is the best--and only--beverage your body really needs.

[minminmin-2009]

I don''t drink anywhere near 8 glasses of water. I drink coffee, tea and maybe 1-2 glasses of water (no soda, no sweet drinks). I''m healthy, and always have been. I used to run, and I drank more water then (before, during and after running) but no more. I drink water when I feel like drinking water. What''s the problem?