10th June 2003: "Water - how much do we need to stay healthy?"

The New-Age adage "six glasses of water a day" (or eight, depending on your measurements!), is faithfully repeated and followed by thousands of people seeking clear skin, good health and a postponement of ageing. But what is the science behind this assertion, and why do those claiming its efficacy insist that coffee, tea, squash and fruit juice do not count?

Professor Ron Maughan, recently appointed to the International Olympic Committee, and a highly experienced sports and exercise nutritionist, has for some years been struggling to put the other point of view. At the Cafe, he will make an eloquent case for the defence, suggesting that we can get our required daily water in many different ways.

No ticket, no booking, no experience required.

Other links

• 8 Glasses a Day (from www.urbanlegends.com)
• How to keep bladder cancer away (from University of Southern California)
• 6 Glasses a Day Keeps the Doctor Away (Movin' with Marty runners' column online)
• Is Eight Enough? Researcher Says Drink Up and Tells Why (from www.water.com)
• Your Body's Many Cries for Water (from an environmental website).