Mumbai: The long-standing advice to drink eight glasses of water daily is a myth, says hepatologist Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, also known as The Liver Doc. In a recent Instagram post, Dr. Abby explained that hydration needs vary based on factors like activity, age, and environment, not a fixed number of glasses.
According to Dr. Abby, the average person loses about 1.3 to 1.5 liters of water daily through urine, stool, and skin evaporation, even while at rest.
To stay hydrated, adults should aim for at least 1.5 liters of fluids daily, including water from food. This amount can increase with physical activity, heat, pregnancy, or age.
Dr. Abby also warned against overhydration. Drinking more than 1 liter per hour over several hours can overwhelm the kidneys, leading to hyponatremia—a dangerous condition caused by diluted blood sodium.
Dr. Abby suggests listening to your body instead of following the “eight glasses” rule. Clear or pale yellow urine, stable body weight, and regular thirst cues are good hydration indicators.
For most healthy adults, 2 to 4 liters per day is sufficient under normal conditions, with higher needs during intense activity or extreme weather.
Forget the myth, tailor your hydration to your lifestyle for optimal health.
