Name: Why you don't need 8 glasses of water a day
Uploaded: 2021-05-20T14:39:46Z
Duration: 4 min 21 s
Description: You know the old rule that you need to drink eight glasses of water every day? It's simply a myth, says Dr. Jen Gunter. In this episode, she explains the amazing way your kidneys keep your system in balance -- and how you can really tell if you're dehydrated. Want to hear more from Dr. Gunter? Check out her podcast Body Stuff, from the TED Audio Collective.

You know the old rule that you need to drink eight glasses of water every day? It's simply a myth, says Dr. Jen Gunter. In this episode, she explains the amazing way your kidneys keep your system in balance -- and how you can really tell if you're dehydrated. Want to hear more from Dr. Gunter? Check out her podcast Body Stuff, from the TED Audio Collective.

Why you don't need 8 glasses of water a day

The common belief that everyone needs eight glasses of water each day is simply not true. The kidneys, with their million nephrons, meticulously regulate fluid and chemical balance based on what the body actually needs. Thirst is a reliable signal that kicks in when hydration drops, and nearly everything consumed contains some water. Instead of fixating on a number, people can trust their bodies to signal when to drink.