Your Body Has a Clever Way to Detect How Much Water You Should Drink Every Day

How much water does an adult need to drink? The usual answer is eight 8-ounce glasses. There isn't a lot of science behind this recommendation. There were no reliable studies found in a 2002 review. Some version of "it depends" will be the beginning of any serious answer to the how- much question. Do you live in a hot area? Is it possible that you are putting yourself in harms way? Are you well? What's the size of you? Are you a big fan of salty foods or are you more of a fan of fruits and veggies?

The average person gets water from a variety of sources, including tea or coffee, soft drinks, and food. About 20 percent of our fluid requirements come from solid foods and 80 percent from beverages. Health authorities recommend that adults drink about a liter of liquid for every 1,000 kilo calories they consume. That works out to be about eight cups for a person who takes in 2,000 calories a day. Most Americans get their hydration from a variety of food and drinks, with about a third coming from plain water, according to a study.