2 min
Drink like a plant
There is no magic number. Two checks: you rarely feel thirsty, and your urine is pale yellow most of the day.
The full lesson
You need enough fluid for energy, digestion, joints, and appetite — thirst is often mistaken for hunger. The old "eight glasses" is not a rule; needs vary with body size, heat, activity and medications. Water, sparkling water, unsweetened tea and coffee, milk, soup and fruit all count.
The habit: a glass with each meal and one mid-afternoon covers most people; add one on days you move a lot or it is hot. Older adults feel thirst less, so a routine matters more than thirst. If a doctor has given you a fluid limit, follow it.
Remember
- Pale yellow is the check.
- A glass with each meal is the anchor.
Try this: Put a water bottle where you will see it. A glass with each meal today.