# I have a hard time making myself drink water, so sometimes I just try to get it all in within a couple hours. But it got me thinking, does it help my body the same way as it would should I drink small amounts throughout the day.
In: Biology
ELI5 answer:
There is no benefit to drinking large amounts of water, whether all at once or spread throughout the day. The belief that there is a large set amount of water to drink is pseudoscience based in part on a recommendation made by a US government agency more than 50 years ago, that mentioned 2.5 liters (about 84 ounces) and then noted that water in the food that you eat accounts for most of the water requirement (this second part being ignored or unknown to modern online fitness gurus).
Normal people should be guided by their thirst.
People in extreme situations,.such as endurance athletes, or prolonged exposure to high temperatures will have to drink more to stay ahead of increased water loss, and may need to supplement with minerals in some circumstances.
Some elderly people or people on medications that may derange their sense of thirst or their metabolism may have to be careful about their water intake.
For the rest of us: don’t worry about it
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