Each one of us, at some point, has been told to “drink more water.” While we how important it is to stay hydrated, how much H2O must we drink? Do we really need to drink at least two litres of water in a day? What temperature should it be at? We consulted Dr Christian Merkel, a dermatologist, allergist, and nutritional physician to help us settle the debate. “It's true that, in theory, you should aim to drink around 2-3 litres of water a day.
In medical school, we learn that 30-40 millilitres per kilogram of body weight is ideal. For someone weighing 70 kilograms, this equates to about two litres of water every day,” he says. Dr Merkel further explains that it is important to remember that a significant portion of this intake is already provided by our diet.
Physical activity and heat increase the need for fluids in the body. The expert cautions against drinking too much water, as it can lead to the depletion of essential salts in the body. An often overlooked aspect of water consumption is its temperature.
"This topic rarely comes up in my practice, but there really is an optimal water temperature for the body," says Dr Merkel. He points out that drinking water temperature is especially important for certain groups of people. Drinking water "Lukewarm water is ideal," says Dr Merkel, noting that the optimal temperature is around 36 degrees Celsius, which matches our body temperature.
The nutritionist explains that very cold drinks must first be warmed up in the gastro.