Experts often say there’s no magic number of glasses of water to drink each day. One thing is clear: water is essential, and we should aim to drink as much of it as possible.
A team of researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, sought to uncover even more health benefits associated with regular and abundant water consumption.
“There are several public recommendations regarding daily water intake, but the data supporting them is unclear, and the benefits of increasing water consumption are not well established,” the scientists noted.
In their latest study, the researchers analyzed findings from 18 clinical trials related to this topic.
What Did the Researchers Discover?
These clinical trials revealed a range of benefits from drinking water, particularly in addressing issues such as obesity, high blood glucose levels, migraines, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and kidney stones.
Increased water consumption, according to the clinical trials, was especially effective for weight loss and reducing the risk of kidney stone formation. Evidence of this effectiveness was demonstrated in several studies, as reported by ILFScience.
In addition to the aforementioned health benefits, the researchers also pointed out that staying well-hydrated helps better manage diabetes and hypotension.
What Happens If You Drink Too Much Water?
There’s a saying that too much of a good thing can be bad. We’ve long believed this applies to water as well. However, researchers have stated that excessive water intake can lead to a potentially life-threatening condition known as water intoxication.
If you drink more water than your kidneys can excrete, it can cause an electrolyte imbalance. In very rare cases, excessive H2O consumption can also lead to hyponatremia (when there’s too little sodium in the blood).
How Can You Determine How Much Water You Need?
Most people have heard the recommendation to drink eight glasses of water a day. But the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all volume of water that suits everyone. According to guidelines from Harvard scientists, the optimal daily intake for most people is about 4-6 glasses. However, the actual effect of water consumption primarily depends on your overall health status.
One simple way to monitor your hydration is by observing the color of your urine. This is a good indicator of how hydrated you are. Dark urine suggests that your body is “dehydrated,” while clearer urine typically indicates that you are well-hydrated.
The results of the study were published in the journal JAMA Network Open.