NEW YORK, April 2, 2008
Busting The 8-Glasses-A-Day Myth
New Report Throws Water On Long-Held Belief That More Water Is Better For Health
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Play CBS Video Video The 8 Glasses A Day Myth New research shows that adults require far less than 8 glasses of water per day. Nancy Cordes reports on the findings that debunk this widely-held health myth.
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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:
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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- ncdragonfly you are a rare one that knows exactly what is going on. I tip my hat to you.
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- 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. - Reply to this comment
- 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. - Reply to this comment
- 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?
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- I think this advice got started, because health & fitness experts say it helps you to lose weight.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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?
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- Does anyone remember that news bit about the mom (was it in Utah?) who punished her young daughter by making her drink massive amounts of water? The daughter died because of it. Don''t remember what happened to Mom....I think she went to trial over it
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- I realize that data can be skewed in many directions to fit almost any hypothesis, but the "good" Dr.''s statements here are relatively empty. The real shame is that with the general population drinking more water they have improved many aspects of their life. If for nothing else then to replace the mass marketed high fructose corn syrup drinks that swarm around us. I would suppose from the approach of Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, he probably doesn''t see they do any harm either.
If you want to fill the airways with arrogant Dr.''s willing to preach anything for a buck or scrap of recognition I hope you will seek out someone of a contrary opinion. Try Dr. F. Batmanghelidj for starters, I think he would make your "expert" look the fool.
Stepping away from the obvious trappings of the blind western medical approaches. Try an experiment. For thirty days consume half your body weight in ounces of clean water daily. Drink it in intervals such that you''re not guzzling it down. Make sure to stop a good two hours before bedtime. Also everyday write down how you feel, both positive and negative qualities. Then after thirty days, try Goldfarb prescription and only drink when you actually feel thirsty. Do this for thirty days and again write down how you feel. Then compare your results. The outcome will clearly show Goldfarb as a typical western Dr who fails to embrace anything outside of pills, surgeries and textbooks to create health. - Reply to this comment
- I don''t know about 8 glasses of water, but drinking 8 glasses of beer definitely makes me feel better....
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- Except that as you get older, your thought patterns allow you to suppress your urge to drink.
Hmmmm...
Gotta wonder what these doctor''s health is like. - Reply to this comment
- The wrong emphasis was put on this story. What it really should stress is drink water, not soda, fruit juice, beer, gatorade, etc., when you''re just plain thirsty. My water uptake depends greatly on the weather and the activity I''m engaged in. It''s by far my favorite drink, but I know I don''t down eight glasses on an average day. Maybe the 8-glass rule takes into account also the water content of all the food we ingest daily?
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- I drink 6 glasses of beer per day, is that good for me?
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- I drink 6 glasses of beer per day, is that good for me?
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- Bunchacrap.
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- I also thought that it was good to drink enough water in a day to where your pee is clear and not yellow and that by getting rid of all the yellow meant you were flushing toxins out.
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- The last time I had a bad cold they told me to drink plenty of liquids. What happens when you dehydrate - you cant eliminate toxins because you need water to do that.
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