Question:
When calculating 8 glasses of water a day, can you include tea, coffee and other fluids?
Answer:
Yes, your daily fluid intake doesn’t all have to come in the form of water. While water is best, milk, juice, tea, coffee, cordial, soft drinks, sports drinks, even ice-blocks, can also provide additional fluids.
Alcohol, on the other hand, has a diuretic effect (increases the production of urine), and should be accompanied with a glass of water to prevent dehydration.
And don’t forget food. Some foods contain high amounts of fluid; custard, jelly, ice-cream, soup and broth all add to your daily fluid intake.
Don’t forget, you need to drink more fluids if it is a hot day, you are doing strenuous activity or are ill, to prevent dehydration.
