How much water should you actually drink a day?
The eight glasses a day rule has no strong scientific origin. Fluid needs vary enormously with body size, activity, temperature and diet, and roughly 20% of most people's fluid intake comes from food.
A better guide than a fixed number
Urine colour is a reasonable everyday indicator: pale straw suggests adequate hydration, dark yellow suggests you are behind. Thirst is a decent signal for most healthy adults under 65, and becomes less reliable with age.
When more water is not the answer
If you are drinking plenty and still feel foggy, headachy and tired, adding more plain water can dilute sodium further and make things worse. That is the situation where replacing minerals matters more than adding volume.
Signs worth acting on
- Dark urine with low output
- Headache and light-headedness on standing
- Muscle cramps during or after exertion
- Persistent fatigue that improves after a salty meal
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
