Are you drinking enough water—or simply sending it straight through your body?

In Episode 84 of The Eye-Q Podcast™, Dr. Rani Banik speaks with integrative medicine physician and hydration expert Dr. Dana Cohen about why proper hydration involves more than following the old “eight glasses a day” rule.

Dr. Cohen explains why hydration needs vary by body size, activity level, diet, climate, and the amount of water-rich food you eat. She also discusses the proposed concept of structured or “gel” water and why fiber, minerals, electrolytes, fruits, vegetables, and seeds may influence how effectively your body retains fluid.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why eight glasses of water may not be right for everyone
• Why you may still feel thirsty after drinking plenty of water
• Dr. Cohen’s three daily hydration strategies
• Why she recommends front-loading water in the morning
• How to build hydration into your meals
• Why blended green smoothies may be more hydrating than juice
• How chia and flax seeds hold water
• How urine frequency and color may provide hydration clues
• Why completely clear urine is not always ideal
• When excessive water intake may dilute electrolytes
• Which fruits and vegetables are naturally water-rich
• Whether coffee and tea count toward fluid intake
• How hydration may intersect with dry eye, headache, and migraine

DR. COHEN’S THREE HYDRATION HABITS

1. Begin the morning with approximately 8–16 ounces of water.

2. Drink a glass of water before meals.

3. Include a blended green smoothie and water-rich plants in your day.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

How much water should I drink each day?
Do I really need eight glasses of water?
Why am I still thirsty after drinking water?
What are the signs that I may be dehydrated?
What color should urine be when properly hydrated?
Can drinking too much water be dangerous?
Do coffee and tea count as hydration?
When should I add electrolytes to water?
What foods provide the most hydration?
Can dehydration contribute to headaches or dry eyes?

ABOUT THE GUEST

Dr. Dana Cohen is an internal medicine physician who has practiced integrative medicine in New York City since 1998. Early in her career, she worked alongside Dr. Robert Atkins and developed a clinical approach centered on nutrition, lifestyle, and individualized care. She is the coauthor of Quench and the author of Fuel Up, which explores using blended whole foods to reduce ultra-processed foods and improve nutrition.

CONNECT WITH DR. DANA COHEN

Website: www.drdanacohen.com 

Instagram: @drdanacohen

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Please like this episode, share it with someone who struggles to stay hydrated, and leave your hydration questions in the comments.

**This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Fluid and electrolyte needs vary. Consult your healthcare professional before significantly changing your intake, particularly if you have kidney, heart, blood-pressure, or electrolyte-related conditions.

#Hydration #Dehydration #Electrolytes #EyeHealth #DrDanaCohen