Is it important to drink a lot of water?

Is it important to drink a lot of water? Everyone says so, but why is water more important than, say, orange juice?

- Dorea*

It seems like we're always hearing about how important it is to drink a lot of water. Our bodies constantly lose water — when we sweat, exercise, and go to the bathroom — so we need to replace it. And when it's warm out or you're exercising, it's important to drink extra water.

Some of the fluid we need comes from food and drinks other than water. So the liquids we consume don't have to be water, but water is one of the best things to drink. For one thing, it contains no calories. Pure orange juice can be a great source of vitamins, such as vitamin C, but it also contains calories and sugar that you may not need.

So do enjoy 100% juice — but don't overdo it. And limit drinks like soda, iced tea, and coffee because they contain caffeine, which actually makes you urinate (pee) more.

* Names have been changed to protect user privacy.