Water, Water, Everywhere

In the June 2008 copy of Nutrition Action, a feature article by a kidney expert debunks some of the myths regarding water needs.  Oft-repeated is that water needs are need 1 gallon per person, per day, which is a lot of H2O.  The article references a study from 1945 that claims water needs are about 1 mL per calorie--but much of that is in the food itself.  Now, if people are eating freeze-dried foods, then more water would be required, not to mention for hygiene, stress situations, etc.  Even so, knowing how much is really needed helps plan.  Furthermore, if one's urine isn't clear, that doesn't mean they're dehydrated to where they need to do anything.  In other words, those urine color indicators are bullshit.

I couldn't find the article online, but a Scientific American article mentions the doc's study and references a publication from Dartmouth College.