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03Very importantEvidence: mixed

Hydration

Bodyweight in lbs ÷ 2 = oz/day.

Priority Matrix

The numbers.

Four dimensions, scored 1–6, where six is always the good end: cheapest, quickest, easiest, highest impact. Priority is Impact squared, divided by what it costs you in energy, money and time.

Cost
Free
Time
-
Energy
Effortless
Impact
High

How sure we are

MixedReal studies disagree, or the effects are small and noisy.

Kept separate from the priority score on purpose: confidence in the evidence never raises how worth-it something is.

What we read

  • "Drink at least eight glasses of water a day." Really? Is there scientific evidence for "8 × 8"?

    American Journal of Physiology — Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology · 2002

    A literature search found no scientific evidence for the 8×8 rule — thirst and water in food already cover most people, and the kidneys simply excrete the surplus.

  • Water, hydration, and health

    Nutrition Reviews · 2010

    Mild dehydration of about 1–2% of body mass is associated with worse mood, alertness, and physical performance, while daily needs vary widely with climate, size, and activity — not a single ounce-per-pound formula.

Research from Dartmouth Medical School · University of North Carolina. We cite their published work. They have no involvement with Anew.

Where this falls down

Still unknown. The bodyweight-in-pounds ÷ 2 rule on this card is a mnemonic, not a trial-tested dose; nobody has shown that hitting that number outperforms drinking to thirst for healthy adults.

Topics

Where it fits.