You’ve probably heard some version of the following rule: you should drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day. As in, a 150-lb person should be drinking 75 oz daily. But this rule isn’t based on any kind of scientific research. Instead, it may have evolved as a more personalized (sort of) form of the older rule of thumb, 8-8oz glasses of water every day. I mean, what even IS an 8oz glass? Everyone you know has a gallon-size Stanley!
You Don’t Need As Much Water As You Think
Thing is, this rule is not actually all that personalized. It doesn’t take into consideration your activity level, how much you sweat, the water content in your food (an apple contains 5oz water; a cup of yogurt, 7oz), or the strength of your digestion (yes, water has to go through your digestive system too). Too much water can slow down your metabolism, dampen your appetite (this is not a good thing! We want to be hungry when we eat so our food is digested properly!) and contribute to kapha-type symptoms like sluggishness, brain fog, and weight gain.
What about coffee?
Coffee is mostly water, and according to the major medical associations it can be counted, as its overall effect is hydrating, not dehydrating. However, according to Ayurveda it contains the bitter and astringent tastes and dry and light qualities, which means that it contributes to dryness in the tissues. Use with caution, especially in Vata and Pitta individuals. Kapha folk can easily have a cup or two a day, as the dry, light, and stimulating qualities are very balancing for them!
So, how much water should I drink?
Drink when you're thirsty. There’s no magic number. Pay attention to your urine– it should be pale yellow (not colorless, not dark), and clear rather than cloudy. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Beyond that, take your water in sips throughout the day rather than downing a Stanley to get your ounces in. Have a small amount of water with meals, not a huge amount before and after. Favor warm or room temperature water rather than cold (which dampens the digestive fire). Have some (but not all) of your water in herbal tea form. If you simply pay attention to when your body is politely asking for water, you probably will never have to measure or track ounces again. Hooray!