Scientists say that the human body apparently does not need eight glasses of water every day. Instead, they discovered that the body possesses functions that can efficiently use just the needed amount of water.

In this new study, scientists say that the amount of water needed by an individual depends on a lot of factors like age, gender, body size, environment, physical activities, and overall health.

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Apart from water, oxygen is crucial to naturally maintain the balance of hydration within a person's bodily systems.

Water carries oxygen and other essential nutrients to cells and organs including flushing out waste from the body. Most of the human body is also made of water and our brain is made up of 70 percent water.

 A team of researchers from Monash University in Australia discovered that there is a unique bodily response that efficiently helps regulate the body from overhydration. When the body needs to replenish lost fluids, the response would be thirst to prevent dehydration. This is the first study to identify the bodily response to overhydration.

Scientists say that the ability to swallow becomes less pronounced when the body has already consumed more water than it needs.

According to Michael Farrell of Monash University, there have been cases of athletes dying during marathons due to loading up on water, as they have drank water in excess than the body needed.

How do we know we are dehydrated or overhydrated? Mayo Clinic suggests observing the color of your urine. The lighter it is or if it shows no color, then the body is sufficiently hydrated. Farrell also advises to drink water according to thirst rather than based on a schedule.

This new study was published in the journal, PNAS.