A recent news article reports on research that appears to debunk the standard advice to drink lots of water—”8 glasses a day” being the usual formula.
Here’s the way Will Dunham, reporting for Reuters news service, opened his story:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The notion that guzzling glasses of water to flood yourself with good health is all wet, researchers said on Wednesday.
Dr. Stanley Goldfarb and Dr. Dan Negoianu of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia reviewed the scientific literature on the health effects of drinking lots of water.
People in hot, dry climates and athletes have an increased need for water, and people with certain diseases do better with increased fluid intake, they found. But for average healthy people, more water does not seem to mean better health, they said.
The article goes on to cite a long list of ailments that, according to the researchers, are NOT cured or prevented by drinking water.
Fine. But here’s my question: if you don’t drink water, what will you drink instead?
Coffee? Soda pop? Chocolate milk? Even fruit juice can be overdone. And if you think plain milk is a good idea, do a little research on lactose intolerance. Green tea?— only if it’s not loaded up with sugar.
The short answer: water may not cure your ills, but it won’t mess up your digestion or rot your teeth or lead to diabetes, either.
So go ahead: drink the water.
