Recent studies have emerged claiming that drinking plenty of water every day isn't as important as we once thought. All our lives we've been told how healthy it is to consume plenty of H2O, so what is the truth? Let's break it down into some facts and myths about drinking water. 

Is Drinking Water Really That Good For You?

FACT: About 60% of our bodies are made up of water.
Our cells are the building blocks of every part of our bodies, and water is the most vital part in their function and replication. Without water to keep everything flowing in and out of our cells, the body's natural processes would come to a screeching halt. Simply put: well-hydrated cells equals well-running systems!

MYTH: We need to drink eight, eight ounce glasses of water each day to be in optimal health.
According to WebMD we should actually be drinking somewhere between 75-150 ounces per day, rather than 64 ounces as in the 8-glasses-per-day rule. The amount we require each day varies depending on gender, weight, daily activity level, and where we live. About 75% of Americans fall short of their daily intake, so get guzzling!

FACT: You can drink too much water.
Yes, it is possible. If the kidneys are overloaded with too much water, they cant process it quickly enough for the body to maintain balance. Sodium levels in the blood drop, causing hyponatremia and possibly death. This is very uncommon, and you would have to consume very high amounts of water all at once for this to be a risk (we are talking gallons, folks). Unless you're an endurance athlete, you're pretty safe with boosting your daily intake.

FACT: Some researchers have had trouble backing up the health benefit claims of drinking water.
There have been studies released that have not found good evidence that drinking more water has the magical qualities we once thought. However, doctors are still pushing the importance of it, and there have been plenty of findings of health benefits that coincide with good hydration. From digestion and reduced fatigue, to joint function and brain clarity - the proof is in the pudding (ahem, water). Think about this: when you're well hydrated, do you feel better or worse? Try drinking just one more glass of water every day this week, then check in and see how you feel. You may be surprised!

MYTH: Your main source of hydration should come from water alone.
Actually, what you choose to eat every day provides a significant amount of your fluid needs! Food provides about 20 percent of total water intake, so having a healthy balanced diet full of foods with high water content is important. Some examples of water-heavy foods are watermelon and spinach which are 90% or more water by weight. We can even add to our intake from other beverage such as coffee, tea, and soda - however its important to be wary of sugar in these types of drinks. According to the American Dietary Guidelines, beverages account for almost half (47%) of all added sugars consumed by the U.S. population, and we don't need to add to that! True Citrus has plenty of products to add flavor to your water, without adding sugar.

What the water boils down to is this simple fact: yes, it's important to drink plenty of water every day. Here are some tips and tricks for staying hydrated!

____________________________________________

[Credit: Riggs, Ransom. The Health Benefits of Water: Fact or Myth? Mental Floss.]
[Credit: Mayo Clinic Staff. Water: How Much Should You Drink Every Day? Mayo Clinic.]
[Credit: Tamarkin, Sally. 34 Proven Ways Water Makes You Awesome. Greatist.]