Are you drinking too much water? The myths and facts behind hydration

Few health recommendations sound simpler than “drink more water.” It seems logical enough: more than half of the human body is made up of water, and we are constantly reminded how important hydration is. But behind that familiar advice are several questions that are less straightforward than they appear. How much water do we really need? Can we trust thirst? What does urine color actually tell us? And should everyone really aim for three liters a day? Dr. Kay Alkara, a family physician with Maccabi Healthcare Services in northern Israel, explains what matters and which familiar hydration rules deserve a second look. Why does the body need water? “Water isn’t just something we drink so we won’t feel thirsty. It takes part in almost every system in the body,” Dr. Alkara said.