Water – we drink it, we bathe in it, and we can’t live without it. It can heal (almost) all of our problems. And allegedly, it even helps keep vampires away when a priest blesses it. But throughout time, myths have circulated about how much and how often we should consume water for the betterment of our bodies. We might’ve gotten a few facts wrong in the past about it, but we’re finally going to set things straight.
See the thing is, there are no clear set rules when it comes to drinking water.
Sure, we need to consume it every single day, but there’s no exact amount we should consume daily. While for many years, we’ve been told that everyone should drink at least eight glasses of water per day; we recently learned that this is, in fact, false.
So if you’re feeling confused or thinking of following the next hydration fad that enters into the wellness space (looking at you, celery juice), don’t worry. We decided to break down all the water myths we’ve heard over the years and tell you why they are incorrect. Grab yourself a glass of water, and pull up a seat, this article might make you thirsty.
1. You need to drink eight glasses of water per day.
You may want to tell your grandma that this tip is a huge myth.
There’s no clear-cut number for how many glasses of water you should drink in a day. In fact, the amount you should consume varies based on your body weight, your age, your exercise regimen, and your medical condition. A New York Times contributor noted that while women need at least 2.5 liters of water a day and men need at least 3.7 liters, most people can attain the majority of that H20 through their diet from things like coffee, fruit, and vegetables.
2. Bottled water is healthier than tap.
While plastic water bottles might be convenient, they don’t outshine tap in the health department.
According to Reader’s Digest, 25 percent of bottled waters come from a municipal supply and are just sold at a higher price (fun!). While some bottled waters do come from springs, it’s hard to tell where certain brands get their supply because companies don’t properly label their sources. Luckily, drinking from a plastic water bottle is still considered safe, especially if you pick those that are made from PET [polyethylene terephthalate]. “PET is actually a remarkably good plastic,” Peter Gleick, a scientist and expert on global water and climates issues told Well+Good. He went on to say, “It’s one of the reasons we put beverages in it. As far as we know, bad things do not leak out of PET.” Just be mindful of the environment. Even though drinking from this kind of plastic won’t harm your health, it’s still not great for Mother Earth.
3. You can only hydrate by drinking water.
This is just not true.
As previously mentioned, pure water is not the only thing that can quench your thirst. For instance, in Shape Magazine, Julie Upton, MS, RD, CSSD, a sports dietitian said, “You can get about 20 percent of your recommended amount of water from fruits and veggies.” To hit your daily water minimum, aim to include water-rich foods into your diet, such as watermelon, skim milk, cucumber, and soups.
4. It’s impossible to drink too much water.
Your body doesn’t love water that much.
Yes, your body is made up of about 60 percent of water. And yes, we can’t live without it for longer than a few days. However, we shouldn’t necessarily guzzle it down every chance we get. According to Mayo Clinic, “When your kidneys can’t excrete the excess water, the sodium content of your blood is diluted (hyponatremia) — which can be life-threatening.” Even though this occurrence is super rare, athletes are at a higher risk of getting hyponatremia.
5. Drinking ice cold water will radically speed up your metabolism.
But the effect isn’t as huge as you think.
It’s true that drinking a cold glass of water can increase your metabolism. However, the spike is very minimal. In fact, your body only burns eight calories for every one cup of cold water. This occurs because your body burns energy to keep its core temperature around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold water does the trick. But if you really want to give your metabolism a boost, you may want to include strength-training exercises into your routine. Unfortunately, other than that, your genetic makeup is the true determining factor for the speed of your metabolism.
6. Drinking water won’t get rid of your hunger pains.
In fact, it actually can help.
While water isn’t going to solve all your hunger problems, it can make things a whole lot better before your next meal. According to Healthline, scientists believe that drinking about 17 ounces of water can stretch the stomach enough to signal the brain that your stomach is full. However, it’s also been proven that your hunger pains could actually be thirsty pains in disguise. Abby Sauer, a nutrition scientist for Abbott, told Bustle, “The hypothalamus, the part of your brain that regulates appetite and thirst, can get confused when you haven’t had enough water and trick you into thinking you need food instead.” She suggests we drink water and wait 20 minutes to see if the hunger subsides.
7. You don’t need to drink a lot of water in the wintertime.
Eh, think again.
Not to burst your bubble, but just because the sun sets earlier in the day, and you’re not sweating 24/7, doesn’t mean you get to drink less water. In fact, you may need to drink even more because there’s less moisture in the air. According to Water Logic, drinking more water during the colder months can protect your immune system from illnesses, fight winter dehydration, and provide more energy.
8. Coconut water is a better recovery drink than plain water.
Your island tropic drink is not what you think it is.
Even though coconut water is delicious, it won’t make you recover faster after a vigorous workout routine. It states in Forbes that while coconut water is low in calories and rich in potassium, but there’s not enough evidence to infer that it is better than water.
9. You shouldn’t drink water until the end of your workout.
False: you should drink it throughout.
Sorry to break it to you, but your workout routine won’t go as smoothly as you want unless you hydrate before and during your sweat-sesh. According to a ClassPass article, the American Council on Exercise suggests drinking 17 to 20 ounces of water two to three hours before you exercise. The council also recommends drinking another eight ounces about 30 minutes before and seven to 10 ounces during your workout. This will help you stay hydrated without feeling fatigued.
10. Your body isn’t dehydrated if you’re feeling thirsty.
Actually, it is.
According to Mayo Clinic, if you’re starting to feel thirsty, you should drink water ASAP. Showing signs of thirst could indicate that your body is already starting to feel dehydrated. You may have already lost as much as one to two percent of your body’s water content. And without filling your body with enough H2O, you could experience stress, agitation, and even memory loss
11. The color of your urine doesn’t depict your hydration levels.
Lighter is better.
If you ever want to know if you should drink more water, take a look in the bowl after you go to the bathroom. According to Healthline, you want your pee to be a light yellow, like lemonade or a light beer color. This indicates that your body is hydrated with the right amount of water. However, stop drinking water if you find that your pee is totally clear. You could be overdoing it and diluting your electrolytes.
12. Bottled water doesn’t affect your teeth.
Yikes, this actually could be false.
But it completely depends on the type of water you drink. Dr. Eunjung Jo of Astor Smile Dental told Daily Mail, “Our enamel starts to erode at a pH level of 5.5 so it’s best to avoid any drinks with a pH that is lower than 5.5.” So if you drink water that has high acidic levels, you could be doing more damage than good.
13. Sports drinks are better for you than water when you exercise.
Well, it depends.
If you’re the next Tom Brady, sure, down a few bottles of Gatorade and call it a day. Your body probably needs the extra electrolytes since you’re pushing your body to its limit. However, if you’re an average Joe, who goes to the gym to weight train, jog, or do cardio, it’s best to stick with water, according to Healthline. But, if you’re over the taste of water, studies have shown that milk, orange juice, and oral rehydration solutions provide the most hydration to your body.
14. It’s safe to reuse plastic water bottles.
Drinking from a water bottle multiple times can affect your health.
While plastic water bottles are generally safe to drink from, the bacteria that emerge after multiple uses can negatively affect your health. According to Business Insider, the PET Resin Association, a plastics industry group, suggests cleaning your plastic water bottle with soap and water after each use to stop the bacteria from growing. They also recommend not reusing the bottle if you notice scratches inside of it. This could mean that the bacteria is stuck in the crevices and nearly impossible to clean out.
15. Drinking water doesn’t help you lose weight.
Actually, it does.
If you’re thinking about losing weight, you may want to include extra water into your diet. According to Healthline, drinking water can reduce your appetite before a meal, make you burn more calories, and prevent long-term weight gain. Just be mindful of the amount of water you’re drinking, if your pee is clear, take a break!
