“Drinking water after waking helps reverse overnight fluid loss and supports normal physiology, including mood and perceived fatigue when mild dehydration is present,” says Lynette Gogol, DO, a board-certified neurologist and lifestyle medicine physician.
But hydration needs vary from person to person. In fact, there is no strong evidence supporting the eight-glasses-a-day rule.
According to experts, fluid needs depend on a person’s body size, activity level, and temperature. What matters most is recognizing when you’re thirsty and responding to it.
“If you get thirsty, drink water. If you’re not thirsty, you don’t need to drink water,” says Tamara Hew-Butler, associate professor of exercise and sports science at Wayne State University.
It’s also important to note that older adults may have a reduced sense of thirst and may need to be more intentional about drinking fluids.
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