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Dear Vicky,

How much water or fluid should a full grown person drink? Of course, as usual, it depends, but rule of thumb is about four eight ounce glasses per day. That is certainly maximum in my opinion, and six ounces four times is probably ample. In hot weather, or if you are a hard exerciser, then even eight glasses may not be enough. Much of your food contains water. Fruit juice is mostly water and sugar in various forms. If the sugar content is 5-6% your absorption will be maximum, even better than plain water. If it is 10% or so, absorption slows down markedly.

It is well known that human thirst ability lags far behind the need for fluid replacement so drink some before and during exercising and at regular intervals. Good question, thanks.

George L. Dixon, Jr. MD