Why do we have To Drink So Much Water

To hydrate you without needing to get that liquid from food. It also fills you up and tricks your body into thinking it's full and doesn't need food.

How much is so much?

Drink when you're thirsty.

Yes! It seriously helps. Every time I get cautious about my sodium intake, I shoot for 2300, I drink extra water because it helps you lose weight by forcing you to get rid of any excess water. Also when you're having a serious workout and sweating a lot water replenishes you so you don't get dehydrated. Some people drink water to avoid hunger if they're trying to wait until their next meal. Honestly, I know 8 cups is recommended but I shoot for 12 minimum! They have all sorts of stuff you can put in water now if you really hate it, but you definitely have to drink it!

water lobbyists. pfffft.

Good question. I'm not a nutritionist or dietitian or doctor, but whenever you inquire how much water to drink, it's typically 8 glasses per day. Ok so now my rationale . . . . (1) If you drink water before you eat, it will trick your stomach into thinking it's fuller than what it is, hence, curbs your appetite. (2) It helps flush your body of toxins, retained water, etc which will make for a healthier you.

Well, I'm not a water chugger.

I went to a nutritionist many years ago she said 1 glass of water for every 25 lbs of body weight.
For my current weight I would require 6 cups of water.

Recently read a study that compared hydration effects of coffee compared to water, they for all intents and purposes you CAN count a cup of coffee as equivalent to a cup of water. (though it IS marginally less effective)

I don't PUSH myself to drink and generally consume as a matter of course:
A 16oz coffee in the AM.
A 10oz coffee with lunch
Refill my 16oz cup with water for my evening train ride home.
Then have a cup or two of tea with dinner and my nighttime snack.

That comes to about figuring my tea mugs are about 10oz. that totals out to about 62 ounces close to 8 cups.
I figure I'm doing okay.

To hydrate you without needing to get that liquid from food. It also fills you up and tricks your body into thinking it's full and doesn't need food.

it actually makes me hungrier. . .o.O

128 oz a day...trainer recommended. Gets rid of sodium in my system...keeps body running well...keeps me full. Totally worth it.

This, plus it keeps headaches away and makes me feel generally healthy. I feel way better after a day with 8 cups of water versus 4 cups, with everything else being the same.

Well...you don't have to. You can survive on a whole lot less. But, my theory (and I have some reasonable backup for it) it this:
1. Water is good for you. It makes your body work better to have the appropriate amount on board.
2. It's not what your drinking...it's what you aren't. I.E. -- if you drink 64 ounces of water, you are less likely to want to consume high calorie drinks like sodas or sweetened coffee or tea.
3. It's a filler. You drink more, you might eat less.
4. 64 ounces of water isn't going to hurt you, is it? Why the fuss? (Unless of course you have a medical condition that requires you to limit your fluid intake.)

That pretty much sums it up. Most nutritionists and practitioners that I know suggest the 8x8 rule as a good generally goal...even if you don't get there everyday, getting most of the way there is good too.

Scientists did studies to determine how much fluid we lose in urine, sweating, evaporation from the skin, etc, and that's where the 64 ounces per day comes from. It's an estimate, however. Some people - particularly very active people in hot climates - need more. And some need less. But it's a good minimal average to shoot for. (And yes, other fluids count as "water" also)