Finding something healthy to drink used to be as simple as
turning on the faucet, but now even water is complicated. You
can choose from bottled or tap, sweetened naturally or
artificially, vitamin-enhanced or subtly flavored. “There are
more types of water beverages on the market today than ever
before,” says Gary Hemphill, managing director of the Beverage
Marketing Corporation, a research and consulting firm. “People
want healthy options, including fewer calories, natural
ingredients and added benefits.” But does your latte count
toward your fluid needs? Can water help you lose weight? And
just how much is a person really supposed to drink? Read on for
the answers.  1. You don’t really need to drink eight glasses of
water a day.  The 8-glasses recommendation is not a hard-and-
fast rule, says Heidi Skolnik, MS, a certified dietitian-
nutritionist and coauthor of Nutrient Timing for Peak
Performance. The Institute of Medicine recommends that women
have about 11½ cups of fluids a day (15½ for men), but at leas