Medical Myths: Drink eight glasses of water a day-NOT!

There's no evidence that your health will suffer by not gulping lots of water each day, according to a new article in BMJ, whose authors investigated six other medical myths. Studies suggest that people probably get adequate fluid intake by consuming fluids other than water, such as juice, milk, and even caffeinated drinks. In fact, downing too much water can be dangerous and has been associated with water intoxication, hyponatremia, and even death.

Other myths debunked in the BMJ article:

The study's authors said, "Physicians would do well to understand the evidence supporting their medical decision-making. While belief in the described myths is unlikely to cause harm, recommending medical treatment for which there is little evidence certainly can."