Marie Claire News

Saturday 4 July

CELEBRITY STYLE SPY: See all the latest celeb photos Stars animation


The great water myth

Water- bottled water

We all know we should drink eight glasses of water a day for optimum health, right? Wrong. Apparently the whole premise is a complete myth.



A team of researchers in America have reviewed every study into water consumption they can lay their hands on and discovered that not a single one recommends drinking eight glasses of water a day.



Dr Dan Negoianu and Dr Stanley Goldfarb, of the University of Pennsylvania, also couldn't find any evidence that drinking more water improves skin tone or the productivity of any of the body's organs. Nor is it likely to help fight weight gain, as the claim that drinking more water makes you feel full remains 'inconclusive', according to their research.



In fact, the only health benefit they found was that drinking more water may help those who suffer from headaches, although again only one small study appeared to substantiate this claim and the results of it were not overwhelmingly conclusive.



The pair's report backs up an article which appeared in the British Medical Journal in December which looked into where the eight-glasses-a-day recommendation had come from and discovered a 1945 diktat that said adults should consume one millimetre of water for every calorie consumed; approximately 2.5 litres of water.



However, this recommendation also noted that 'most of this quantity is contained in prepared foods', something subsequent health advisors tend to ignore.



The BMJ went on to advise readers that even tea, coffee and beer can contribute to this recommendation, despite being mildly diuretic.

Thursday 3 April 2008


Have your say ...

Add your own comment

Dear Marie Claire

I drink 2 liters of water a day and feel great, my skin looks more plumper and my eyes sparkle and i feel on top form, i have days when i dont get my 2 liters of water and can really feel the difference i feel lethargic, tired and can not function properly.I love my water and think its essential for your mind, body and soul.

Waterholic B,ham
Comment by Kiran Devi on April 03 09:30

This is pretty old news. Of course water comes from many sources beyond drinking it in its natural form. However, let's not swing completely the other way and STOP drinking water. Regardless of what medical studies suggest, dehydration can be a serious problem if sensible water intake is not maintained.
Comment by Andy Merrett on April 03 10:03

I heard what the 1945 diktat had really said (about water coming from food too) in "The Truth About Food" on BBC last year - so the Scientists were slower this time!
Comment by Maureen on April 03 10:19

Rate this ...

Rate this content

Thanks, your rating has been counted!

  • Current rating:

  • 3.5/5



Breaking headlines ...

August subscription offer