# Why is water healthy
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-healthy/232572
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 4, 2004, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-healthy/232572 "2004-03-04T20:26:17Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2004, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-healthy/232572/21 "2004-03-06T00:12:14Z")
> [@Dogface](#):
>
> How much heat?
>
> How much caffeine intake will result in dehydration? Are you just spouting a bunch of anecdotal rubbish or can you back it up with solid, peer-reviewed research published in professional scientific journals. I await your evidence. Until then, I dismiss all you have to say.
>
> Scientific journal data for the alleged weight loss claim, or is this more overblown rubbish?
Actually, as restated in [a February 17 article in the New York times](http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00F14F93C590C748DDDAB0894DC404482), recent studies have shown that caffeinated beverages do not significantly contribute to dehydration.
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### Author:  [@Thaumaturge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thaumaturge)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2004, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-healthy/232572/22 "2004-03-06T00:20:42Z")
The myth about water comes from a missunderstanding of an old study. The study showed that humans need 64 oz. of water on average a day to remain healthy. Someone who didn’t read too deeply read this as meaning we need 8 cups of water a day to stay healthy, and went about spreading the word that we all weren’t getting enough water. After all, no one drinks that much water unless they live in a hot desert.
The fact that the myth spreader missed was that most of our food is made up of large amounts of water already, and this water was taken into account in the study. For example, most fruits are 80-90% water, meats are 30-50%, etc. When these are taken into account, most people get plenty of water. Basically, if you are thirsty, drink, if not, don’t worry about it too much. If you are thirsty alot, you should see a doctor.
This myth got spread around alot, so expect to keep seeing it in various forms from now until the end of time, things like this tend to die hard. ‘Myths that refuse to die’ is my favorite pet peeve.
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### Author:  [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2004, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-healthy/232572/23 "2004-03-06T00:51:52Z")
> [@Mathochist](#):
>
> Actually, as restated in [link=http://_qu_[ery.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00F14F93C590C748DDDAB0894DC404482](http://ery.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00F14F93C590C748DDDAB0894DC404482)]a February 17 article in the New York times[/link], recent studies have shown that caffeinated beverages do not significantly contribute to dehydration.
You’d be better off to stick with studies than to go by my anecdotal experience but after cutting my coffee intake for gastro/intestinal reasons I noticed that I had to drink more water to make up the difference.
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### Author:  [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2004, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-water-healthy/232572/24 "2004-03-10T05:48:14Z")
I have resurrected this thread because I found the following while googling for another thread.
> [@](#):
>
> [the most universal solvent known](http://www.luminet.net/~wenonah/hydro/h2o.htm)
> **Research has shown that our sense of thirst is an “After the Fact” response. Our thirst craving isn’t activated until we have lost about 28% of our blood plasma. This means we have lost about two quarts of our normal seven quarts of blood liquid. Time to stop and rehydrate yourself or risk having the “solids in your blood” come out of solution and plug up your circulatory system.**
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