I've learned that the body can only use about 1 cup of water at a time and when you listen to it, it will tell you when you need it. I used to count my cups of water, but now I drink to thirst, about a cup at a time. Now I know if I drank 8 cups a day, I'd be drinking too much water! It is actually hard on the body to have to deal with the extra. When you eat a lot of raw vegetarian and high water content food, you don't necessarily need the 8 cups a day. Some raw vegetarians don't drink any water. That doesn't make sense to me because animals in the wild, that still have their instincts, drink water. Good pure water is essential for health. It is important for weight loss because the body uses water in the chemical break down of stored fat. Water is also SO essential for detoxing and good elimination to keep the body clean on the inside.