Trying to drink more water to turbocharge your day? Feel bad if you don’t? Then it’s time to debunk the water myth! Traditionally experts recommend the rule of ‘8×8’ – that’s 8 glasses of water 8 times a day for glowing health, success and whatever you’re having yourself. Bottled water companies are lapping it up. It’s pouring down as I write, our winter/spring/summer floods a fresh memory and  – we’re buying water by the gallon in plastic bottles. It costs more than petrol. There’s no need to bring Irish Water charges into this. Steady on! Hydration experts – they really exist – aren’t clear about where this 8 x 8 rule started.

Where did they get those numbers?

Could have been from a study of hydration in rats (eew) way back in 1933. Following complicated calculations researchers suggested moderately active humans ( soldiers, presumably) would require 2.5 litres/day, to make up for fluid lost in sweaty exercise, soldiering and using colourful language. Solid food makes up about 20% of fluid intake – via vegetables, fruit, soups and foul-tasting smoothies. That leaves about 67.6 oz of water to acquire – which neatly equates with the magic 8 x 8!   Are you still with me, there at the back?

Does it have to be water?

Don’t tell the kids – water isn’t the only way to hydrate. You don’t exactly need 8 glasses a day, either. I can hardly bear to write this pure heresy, so I’ll whisper it.  Other drinks count perfectly well, even if caffeinated. Can you believe it? That means tea and coffee are fine, in reasonable amounts. Drink cola at your own peril. I can’t bear to think you’d do that to yourself, especially if you’re trying to conceive. University of Connecticut exercise physiologist, Douglas Casa explains, ‘The body’s need to keep fluids trumps the small influence caffeine might have on actually losing fluid.’ Our bodies aren’t so shy about letting us know when to drink, although we may confuse thirst for hunger. Drink if you feel thirsty or hungry. If not, don’t.

How can you tell if you need water?

It’s in your water. Really, it is. Come with me. Back to my first long, aromatic months as a junior student nurse in a sluice room, surrounded by pure, undiluted pee.Emptying bedpans, urine bottles and catheter bags. No need to avert your horrified eyes from the loo, there’s lots to learn from examining pee.

Imagine all you know about checking diamonds – it’s pretty much the same for splashing your boots. First thing that strikes you? Colour. Dark yellow, bordering on a nasty shade of Trump orange, is the true colour of dehydration. Bad news for your overstretched kidneys. Your body is conserving precious water and it’s time to get the kettle on. One of the best isotonic ways to rehydrate is to eat Watermelon.  The clue is in the name cos it’s quickly absorbed so you don’t feel like an overenthusiastic camel.

Ok pay attention and listen up. A nice pale shade of light lemon is what you’re aiming for, to keep skin glowing, a clear head and your ticket to hydrated heaven.