THE TRUTH ABOUT H2O

***FIVE MYTHS ABOUT DRINKING WATER***

Is bottled water better for you than tap? Should you drink vitamin-enriched water or sparkling? Surprisingly, experts say IT DOESN'T MATTER. None of these products are likely to make you any healthier. Here are five more myths about water . . .

MYTH #1.) YOU SHOULD DRINK EIGHT GLASSES OF WATER A DAY. Scientists say there's actually no clear benefit to chugging or sipping water all day. In fact, if you're not thirsty, you don't need to drink anything.

MYTH #2.) WATER HELPS CLEAR OUT TOXINS. Our kidneys DO filter toxins from the bloodstream, but does water improve kidney function? Well, no. If anything, drinking a lot of water tends to REDUCE the kidney's ability to filter toxins.

MYTH #3.) LOTS OF WATER IS GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN. Your body is already 60 percent water, so a few extra glasses a day has a limited effect. Studies suggest that water CAN increase blood flow in the skin, but it probably won't make a big difference.

MYTH #4.) WATER MAKES YOU LOSE WEIGHT. Water IS a helpful tool for dieters. It has no calories, and it makes you feel full even if you haven't eaten. But water's not magical. Other zero-calorie options, like diet soda, will do the same thing.

MYTH #5.) IT'S EASY TO GET DEHYDRATED. Technically, you're dehydrated once you've lost 2 percent of your body weight. So for a 200-pound man, that means losing 4 POUNDS in water. Marathon runners, bikers, and hikers should worry about it. But if you're just going for a stroll in the park, no bottle of water is necessary. (NPR.org)