Everyone has heard the advice that you should drink “eight glasses of water a day”; in some cases, that can be the justification for installing water coolers in the office.

The importance of hydration cannot be understated, even beyond avoiding dehydration, and having fresh, ice-cold water ready to consume at the office whenever you need it is undoubtedly important.

The problem is that the specifics of the “eight glasses rule” are generally incorrect, in the same way that you do not necessarily need to walk 10,000 steps per day to stay healthy.

The rule came from advice from the United States Food and Nutrition Board in 1945, which noted that to maintain healthy hydration, people need to consume up to 2.5 litres of water a day, which somehow translates to 64 fluid ounces or eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day.

The problem is that this was an interpretation of the original advice; whilst you should consume around two litres of water a day, most of that will come from food.

Fruits, vegetables and other foods often contain water, which will help you keep hydrated, and even tea and coffee can provide hydration, even if the diuretic properties of the latter can cause problems.

Another issue is that eight glasses of water is a rigid rule which fails to take into account height, weight, diet, body chemistry, local weather and levels of physical activity. If you are a marathon runner in the Sahara Desert, your water needs are substantially higher than those of someone working in a cold office in December.

Many people who follow the “eight glasses rule” find it uncomfortable and without any additional health benefits.

Ultimately, as long as you drink when you feel thirsty, you are unlikely to become dehydrated.

Why Should You Keep Hydrated?

• Avoids dehydration.
• Improved focus when at work.
• Prevents dizziness, headaches and poor health.
• Improves digestion.
• Boosts physical performance.
• Helps keep your skin healthy.