Are you drinking too much water?

Our obsession with drinking eight glasses of water a day may be a waste of time, according to an Australian researcher.

[Related story: Easy ways to get 5 a day]

Contrary to popular belief, tea, coffee and food all helps to keep us hydrated, meaning our penchant for toting around water bottles has dubious health benefits.

Yes, our bodies do need the oft-cited two litres of water a day, but this doesn’t need to be ingested as pure water, says Dr Spero Tsindo from La Trobe University in Victoria. Instead, he explains, much of our hydration can come from naturally occurring water in food, as well as caffeinated drinks tea and coffee.

“Thirty years ago, you didn't see a plastic water bottle anywhere – now they appear as fashion accessories,” Tsindo complains. "We should be telling people that beverages like tea and coffee contribute to a person's fluid needs and, despite their caffeine content, do not lead to dehydration.

"Humans need to maintain fluid balance and need to drink water when required but should also consider fluid in unprocessed fruits, vegetables and juices,” he explains.

"There is further evidence that water and a well–balanced diet does far more than water alone and this type of research should not be ignored," Tsindo adds.

And if you were banking on guzzling two litres of H2O a day helping you lose weight, Tsindo has news for you there too.  “Drinking large amounts of water does not alone cause weight loss. A low–calorie diet is also required. Research has also revealed that water in food eaten has a greater benefit in weight reduction than avoiding foods altogether."

But before we ditch our Orla Keirly water flasks and overdo the caffeine, there are definite health benefits to drinking water (and cons to caffeine). It helps keep you alert and feeling awake and can help you stick to that diet. But if you don’t manage two litres of pure water a day, relax, it won’t kill you.