339. Study suggests there is no correct amount of water to drink each day
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Many people believe they are supposed to drink 8 glasses of water – 8 ounces each – every day. A new study suggests there is no correct amount of water to drink. In the study, published in the journal Science, researchers studied over 5,600 people from 26 countries. They determined that people’s water consumption varies greatly, anywhere from four to 25 cups of water per day. Water needs appear to peak for men in their twenties, while the amount for women stays roughly the same until age 55. The researchers concluded that there is not a specific number of glasses the average human should consume each day. People should adjust the amount of water they drink based on a number of factors, like how physically active they are, how hot and humid it is, and how much they weigh.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
