How much water should you drink a day?

Each individual’s needs are unique to them and depend on their health, age, size and weight as well as activity levels, the type of job they do and the climate they live in. Drinking little and often is the best way to stay hydrated. In the UK, the Eatwell Guide suggests you should aim for 6-8 glasses of water and other liquids each day to replace normal water loss – around 1.2 to 1.5 litres. Water, lower fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count.

In March 2010, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a report suggesting an adequate total daily intake of 2 litres of fluids for women and 2.5 litres for men. This quantity includes drinking water, drinks of all kinds and the moisture available from the food we eat. On average our food is thought to contribute about 20% of our fluid intake which, therefore, suggests a woman should aim to drink about 1.6 litres and a man should aim for 2 litres.

However, there is controversy surrounding our hydration needs. Some argue that there’s a lack of scientific evidence to support the perceived health benefits of drinking the often-touted 2 litres a day, especially when it comes to those of us who live in temperate climates and who lead a largely sedentary lifestyle. However, the NHS still recommends that we consume around 6-8 glasses, with more required in hot weather or if exercising.