How Much Water Should You Drink in a Day?
For most adults, 2 to 3 litres of fluid a day is enough — and that includes what comes from food and other drinks. Heat, sweat and hard work raise it.
The short answer: 2 to 3 litres of fluid across the day works for most adults. It does not all have to be plain water — dal, vegetables, fruit, milk, buttermilk and tea all count.
How true is "eight glasses a day"?
It is an easy rule to remember, not a measurement. What you need depends on your weight, activity, the weather and your work. Someone working in the sun and someone sitting in air conditioning do not need the same amount.
Check your water requirement→Signs you are drinking too little
- Dark yellow urine
- A dry mouth and lips
- Headache and tiredness
- Passing urine very few times a day
Pale yellow urine is generally taken as a good sign. It does not need to be completely clear.
Can you drink too much?
It is uncommon in healthy people, because the kidneys clear the excess. But in kidney or heart disease, fluid has to be limited — and there, your doctor’s instruction governs, not an article.