For years, the ‘8X8’ rule ruled our water bottles. The rule was: Eight glasses of eight ounces each, every single day. It sounded simple and healthy. Drink up and you are doing the right thing. But pause for a moment. Does one rule really suit everyone, from a desk worker in an air-conditioned office to a construction worker under the Indian sun? Not quite. Nutrition science has quietly moved on. So should we.
Why your water needs are personal
Leading research bodies now agree that hydration is far more individual than counting glasses. Hyderabad-based ICMR National Institute of Nutrition has mentioned in it’s 2024 Dietary Guidelines for Indian adults, that the recommended daily amount of fluids for healthy adult men is nearly 3.7 litres. For healthy adult women, it is about 2.7 litres. These recommended daily amounts include fluids obtained from daily food as well as from the water found in fruits and vegetables. It is not just plain water.
The change in fluid requirements will have a major effect in India. The climate, size/weight of person, diet and amount of daily activity vary from location to location. The water content of foods is added to the person’s daily fluid requirement. For example, eating a bowl of watermelon, a plate of cucumber salad or a cup of plain curd will all contribute to your daily hydration needs. Many Indian staples are naturally water rich and do more work than we realise.
Dr Sudhir Kumar, a noted neurologist from Hyderabad and a public health voice many people follow online, puts it simply. There is no scientific evidence that everyone needs eight glasses a day. Your body is the best indicator. Thirst is not the enemy. In fact, it is one of the most reliable signals you have.
Listening to your body, not a number
There is also a cautionary note worth hearing. The medical professionals agree to not compel people to consume a certain amount of water to satisfy a requirement. When a person drinks too much water, it causes the individual’s blood sodium levels to become too diluted and that is a major health concern.
The national standards help illustrate how fluid requirements will differ from person to person depending on many factors, including physical activity, body weight, your surrounding environment. As a basic rule, someone outside in the heat performing physical activities requires more fluid intake than somebody inside a temperature-controlled environment working on a computer. Experts ask you to pay attention to your body’s signs for hydration. For example, are you thirsty? Is your urine color pale straw? Do you feel fresh or fatigued? All of these indicators are more valuable than counting glasses of water, as these are very personal and unique to you. Hence, the best way to stay hydrated is simply to respond to your body’s signals of needing hydration and to eat foods that help keep you hydrated as well.
As we move through life, we see that hydration is important, but the kind/quality of water you consume should be equally important. This is why Doulton Water Filters have an edge. When you drink Doulton Filtered Water, you are drinking water that contains all minerals and nutrients that your body needs to function properly, without any of the contaminants that may cause you harm. Doulton is easy to instal and operate. Thus, Doulton ensures the water you choose is genuinely safe, balanced and fit for daily hydration.
This is where solutions that respect water at the source matter. Doulton water filters fit naturally into this larger idea. They do not promise excess or waste. Instead of relying solely on bottled water, they will help improve quality of tap water so that the integrity of the water remains intact and customers are not required to purchase bottled water.
In residential settings and institutions, they offer a way for consumers to rely on a trustworthy source of clean water while transitioning to an expectant future where trust in tap water is restored and plastic is no longer part of everyday life.
You might also want to read
