Hepatologist says ‘8 glasses of water a day’ is a myth: Here’s how much you should drink to stay hydrated

Hepatologist says ‘8 glasses of water a day’ is a myth: Here’s how much you should drink to stay hydrated

Hepatologist says ‘8 glasses of water a day’ is a myth: Here’s how much you should drink to stay hydrated ByAkanksha Agnihotri Jun 08, 2025 08:49 PM IST Read this news in brief form Share Via Copy Link Hepatologist Dr. Abby Philips debunks the “8 glasses a day” water myth and shares expert tips on how much you really need to stay properly hydrated.

For decades, the recommendation to drink eight glasses of water a day has been ingrained in our minds as a golden rule for good health. However, Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, a certified hepatologist popularly known as The Liver Doc, says this advice is more myth than medicine. In his May 8 Instagram post, he explains why the "8 glasses a day" rule doesn't hold up and what you really need to know about staying properly hydrated. (Also read: Liver Doc reveals the best and worst teas for your liver: ‘Just because it’s herbal doesn’t mean it’s safe’ )

Healthy adults should replace 1.3 to 1.5 litres of lost fluids daily to avoid dehydration. (Pexels)

"I cannot believe I'm making a post for adults about how and when to drink water in 2025. But I guess this is important because people have lost critical thinking skills and keep asking me this question in the messages. So here goes," Dr Abby wrote in the caption. Let's take a closer look at what he recommends:

Our bodies lose water constantly, even when we're resting. Here's Dr Abby's breakdown of daily fluid loss for a healthy adult in a comfortable environment (20-25°C):

Put together, that's roughly 1.3 to 1.5 litres of water lost every day, even if you're sedentary and in mild weather.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Liver Doc (Cyriac Abby Philips) (@theliverdr)

How much water should you consume

To avoid dehydration, you need to replace at least what you lose daily. For a healthy adult at rest:

Healthy kidneys can clear about 0.8 to 1 litre of dilute urine per hour, up to roughly 24 litres a day. Drinking more than 1 litre per hour for several hours can overwhelm this capacity, diluting blood sodium and risking a dangerous condition called hyponatremia, which can cause brain swelling and seizures.

-Your urine should be clear or pale yellow.

-Your body weight should remain stable.

- You should be able to remember the last time you felt genuinely thirsty.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.