Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How much water should you drink in a day? The truth will probably surprise you

Are you drinking enough water every day? Here's how much H2O your body needs

A person holding a small cup of water
Lisa Fotios/Pexels / Pexels

How much water should you drink in a day? The standard answer is eight eight-ounce glasses.

Except the recommendation is a misnomer. The guidance to consume eight glasses of water daily began in the 1940s when the Food and Nutrition Board recommended that people drink eight water glasses daily. The caveat? The water didn’t have to be in a glass. The guidance also noted, “Most of this quantity is contained in prepared foods.” (Fruits and vegetables, like the appropriately-named watermelon, are mostly water.) Also, the definition of eight glasses of water daily was 2.5 liters (84.5 ounces), 20.5 ounces more than the 64 ounces contained in eight eight-ounce cups.

Recommended Videos

Those recommendations emerged in the 1940s, and research and knowledge have evolved since. What are the current recommendations for daily water intake? The answer isn’t cut and dry.

drinking water set against a white background
manu schwendener / Unsplash

How much water should you drink in a day?

The answer to this question varies. Though the often-given advice is to consume eight eight-ounce glasses of water daily, that number is a low watermark and not the recommended baseline. The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine recommended that men consume 125 ounces of water (3.7 liters) and women take 91 ounces (2.7 liters) daily in 2004.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends water intake based on age, sex, and health status. The Department also advises people who live in hot climates or engage in prolonged exercise to up their water intake. The Department’s recommendation for adult men is slightly lower than the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine: 91 ounces (2.7 liters) for both sexes.

a closeup of watermelon cubes
Italy Peer/Unsplash / Unsplash

Does water intake have to come from drinking water?

No. Fluid consumption doesn’t necessarily need to be through plain drinking water. The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that people typically consume 20% of their daily water intake through foods.

In 2007, researchers noted that the correct fluid intake can usually be obtained through juice, milk, and caffeinated drinks and noted that drinking too much water can lead to water intoxication. The CDC suggests low or no-calorie drinks, such as fat-free milk (juice and caffeinated beverages like soda can be high in calories).  

a man drinking from a large waterbottle near a mountain
Bit Cloud / Unsplash

What are the benefits of drinking water?

Our bodies are comprised of mostly water (60%). Replenishing fluids throughout the day is essential for:

  • Body temperature regulation
  • Joint and tissue health
  • Spine health
  • Elimination (urine, sweat, and bowel movements)
  • Digestion
  • Keeping blood pumping

You may feel dehydrated if you’re dizzy, have a dry mouth, or have dark-colored urine. Increasing your water intake can feel like a steep hill to climb, but it does not have to be. A few simple ways to up your water intake include:

  • Carry a large water bottle with you. A large water bottle makes it easy to sip throughout the day.
  • Infuse water with flavor. Water can get boring. Infuse it with low or no-calorie, natural flavorings like fresh herbs, mint, or whole fruits. Frozen berries make a tasty alternative to ice cubes.
  • Drink water during meals. Swap water for sugary or alcoholic beverages (or no beverages) during meals. 

If you’re struggling to consume the right amount of water, speak with your doctor, who can provide more tips and help you develop a baseline for how much you need daily.

BethAnn Mayer
Beth Ann's work has appeared on healthline.com and parents.com. In her spare time, you can find her running (either marathons…
Magnesium for muscles: How the mineral promotes relaxation and recovery
Discover the best food and supplement sources
Strong man with back muscles shirtless

If you are frequently in the gym or are an endurance athlete, you know that your muscles need all the support they can get. As an avid gym-goer and personal trainer, I have found that listening to the body, fueling it properly, and resting as needed can really make a difference in how I perform during my workouts and progress over time. There are many claims about various fitness supplements and nutrients, but what does the science say about magnesium?

Keep reading to discover the benefits of consuming enough magnesium, the best sources of magnesium for muscles, and more.
What is magnesium?

Read more
The chromium benefits you should know about (and the best food sources for you)
Add these foods to your grocery list to get the benefits of chromium
Broccoli on a chopping board

You've likely heard about how nutrients such as fiber, protein, and iron are essential for maintaining your health. While this is certainly true, there are many vitamins and minerals that don't necessarily get the attention they deserve, and chromium is one of them. As a nutritionist, I am always encouraging my clients to either be more intentional with their diets or take a multivitamin to try and cover all their bases. It can be hard sometimes to know exactly what you are missing.

Keep reading to learn about the many chromium benefits, the best food sources, advice on supplementation, and more.
What is chromium?

Read more
How to lose 5 pounds in a week — and is it even realistic for you?
Discover essential nutrition and exercise tips to help
Weight loss scale black and white doctor office weighing scale

Whether you have an event coming up or are trying to kickstart your weight loss journey, you may find yourself wanting to drop five pounds in a week. As a trainer, I always have my clients approaching me with various weekly goals — some are sustainable, and some not so much. So, is five pounds a week realistic?

Keep reading to learn if this weekly goal is possible and, if so, how to lose 5 pounds in a week. Let’s dive in!
Can you lose 5 pounds in a week?

Read more