There’s a lot of noise about “perfect” fluid intake. Between wellness trends, ad slogans and half-truths, it’s easy to miss what actually helps. Here’s a clear, practical read on seven common myths so you can make simple, informed choices every day.
1. “Eight glasses a day fits everyone”
Your needs shift with climate, size, activity, diet and illness. UK guidance suggests roughly six to eight cups of fluid daily as a starting point, then adjust to context and to a pale-straw urine colour. The priority is steady intake, not chasing an exact number.
2. “Only electrolyte drinks keep you hydrated”
Electrolytes are useful when sweat losses are high or exercise is prolonged. For day-to-day life, plain water plus a normal diet is usually enough. How well fluids are absorbed depends mainly on gastric emptying and intestinal transport factors like drink volume, energy density and sodium–glucose co-transport not on taking electrolytes all the time. Save electrolyte drinks for longer, hotter or sweat-heavy sessions.
3. “Thirst means you’re already dehydrated”
Thirst is simply a reminder that your balance is shifting, not that you’ve failed. It’s the body’s natural signal to drink before things become serious. Keeping small sips steady through the day helps you stay hydrated and avoid the crash.
4. “Buying bottled water is a waste of money”
Tap water in the UK is regulated to meet safety standards, but quality can vary by area due to factors like ageing pipes, residual treatment chemicals and changes in local sources. PFAS is a real management issue: in 2025 the Drinking Water Inspectorate instructed several water companies to increase monitoring, blend sources or upgrade treatment after finding PFAS in untreated supplies serving millions.
Natural spring and bottled waters can differ in ways you can genuinely taste and feel. The mineral balance, pH and even oxygen levels shape how water behaves once it’s inside your body, affecting hydration comfort, absorption and recovery after exercise or heat exposure.
Choose brands that tell you exactly where their water comes from, how it’s filtered or enriched and what they’re doing to protect the planet while they do it.
5. “ Caffeine dehydrates you completely”
Moderate coffee or tea contribute to daily fluid intake, especially in people who regularly consume caffeine. Problems arise if caffeinated, sugary drinks replace most of your plain water. Keep intake sensible, include enough plain water, and prioritise good sleep to support hydration.
6. “You can’t drink too much water”
Overhydration dilutes sodium levels and can make you feel weak or dizzy. Endurance athletes know this well. Hydration should match your output, not exceed it. Drinking slowly and regulating intake throughout the day keeps your system stable and your cells performing at their best.
7. “Drinking liquids is the only way to stay hydrated”
Fluids are vital, but not the whole story. Around 20–30% of daily hydration can come from food, especially fruits and vegetables with high water content (like cucumber, watermelon, oranges, spinach). Electrolytes sodium, potassium, magnesium also help the body hold and use water efficiently.
A community that cares about hydration
Understanding hydration is about more than products. It’s about awareness, education and small habits that make life easier to recover from. That’s why KURE shares these insights, because we want everyone to make informed choices whether or not they ever pick up a bottle of ours.
KURE Oxygen Water was created for people who believe hydration should feel clean functional and sustainable. It’s Cornish spring water enriched with stable oxygen nanobubbles and bottled using Prevented Ocean Plastic™ and FSC-certified packaging. We see it as one thoughtful option in a world that needs better balance between people and planet.
If smarter water helps you feel better or live a little lighter that’s exactly why KURE exists.
