BALTIMORE, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- People may not need need to drink eight glasses of water a day to be well hydrated and caffeinated beverages count in the total water intake.
A new report from from the Institute of Medicine, the group that sets desirable nutrient levels for all ages, found that women who are adequately hydrated consumed the equivalent of 91 ounces of fluids each day, and men about 125 ounces. While that is actually more than eight glasses, or 64 ounces, only 80 percent of it came from drinking water. Other foods and beverages provided the rest.
"While drinking water is a frequent choice for hydration, people also get water from juice, milk, coffee, tea, soda, fruits, vegetables and other foods and beverages, as well." Dr. Lawrence Appel of Johns Hopkins University told the New York Times.
"People get adequate amounts of water from normal drinking behavior -- consumption of beverages at meals and in other social situations -- and by letting their thirst guide them."
The report, issued last week, reviewed water, salt and potassium consumption by Americans and Canadians and set desirable intake levels for these nutrients.
