We’re always told to get 8 glasses of water a day, recently it was uncovered there is no exact science behind this target, but it IS important to stay hydrated.
You’ll need much more than this in some cases, e.g. if you do a lot of physical activity, or you’re breastfeeding.
How much water should I drink?
The 8 glasses a day is based on 8x 250-300ml glasses (about half a pint, or 8-10fl oz). So it’s about 4 pints of water through the day, including herb teas.
Why do I need to drink water?
Getting enough fluid can help prevent and treat constipation and some headaches as well as helping keep your liver and kidneys healthy.
Water can boost your metabolic rate so help you lose weight. Drinking enough fluids can also help some people lose weight because we often eat when we’re really thirsty, so sometimes you need a drink rather than something to eat.
Spreading out our fluid intake is important. If you water a very dried out plant you see the water go straight through the soil, and it’s similar with the body. We can’t get 2 litres in one go and then nothing for the rest of the day, getting water throughout the day will help.
My tips for drinking more water
- Herb tea can contribute to your water intake
- Carry a bottle of water around with you (ideally stainless steel or glass rather than plastics which can leech chemicals into your water
- Drink a glass of water when you have a tea or coffee
- Start the day with juice of half a lemon in some warm water
- Set a reminder on your phone to go off every 2 hours
