As summer approaches, public health campaigns are ramping up the message: drink more water. Social media is flooded with nutritionists and self-styled wellness gurus urging Israelis to consume 8–10 glasses a day, always keep a bottle on hand and hydrate before every meal.
On TikTok, fitness influencers tout daily water challenges, promoting 2 liters (67 fl oz) a day between workouts. But while some people track every sip, others can barely bring themselves to drink even a single glass.
Yael Inbar-Nehushtan, 60, from Tel Aviv, hasn’t touched plain water since she was young—mostly because of the taste. “Water tastes and smells different everywhere. Sometimes like chlorine, sometimes like sand, sometimes like sewage,” she said.
“When I was growing up, we all drank tap water. At some point, I found out I was sensitive to the E. coli bacteria, which can cause intestinal inflammation. This was before desalinated water became common—back then, E. coli was often found in drinking water. I guess that’s when I started associating water not just with bad taste but with bad health.”
Instead of water, she gets her fluids from other sources. “For years I drank water with syrup. There used to be this powder called Zip that gave it taste and color. Today I mostly drink sweetened soft drinks. I have seasonal strategies: in winter, I make soups that feel more like food than drinks—lunch and dinner usually add up to 4–5 cups of liquid.
“In summer, I switch to cold soups like tomato, cucumber-yogurt or even borscht. Another trick: I pour out a third of the water from a bottle and replace it with bitter lemon, tonic water, lemonade, cider — anything with flavor.”
But the workaround has its downsides. “Not drinking water has become a thing and most people react negatively. They say artificial sweeteners in zero-calorie drinks are toxic, that I’ll damage my kidneys and so on.
“Also, wherever I go, I need someone to prepare or buy me a drink. That means I end up drinking far less than most people. I’ve come home in the evening totally dehydrated after having just two cups of tea with milk or a Coke all day.”
The consequences, she said, are immediate. “I get terrible headaches, even faint sometimes. The only thing that helps is stopping everything and drinking 2–3 cups of something all at once. I can see the impact on my skin, too.
“When I’m hiking and have to drink water because of the heat, my skin looks smoother and healthier—not just on my face, but my arms and hands. But when I’m dehydrated, it sags and wrinkles.”
Months without a single glass
Sarit Gabay of Herzliya can’t remember the last time she drank water. Not days—months. “It’s probably just a bad habit,” she said. “When I used to work out, I’d sometimes drink a bottle but I never liked the taste. And even then, it had to be mineral water — everything else tastes like tap water to me.”
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So what does she drink instead? “Natural fruit juice, lemon-mint, orange, watermelon, green tea, mint tea and, of course, cappuccino. Everyone who knows me knows I’m addicted to cappuccino.”
But even these drinks don’t always do the job. “There were times I became so dehydrated I needed an IV. And I knew it was because I hadn’t drunk water. I’ve read the research, I believe it, I know I need to drink more—but I just can’t.”
Adit Mondschein, 51, from Petah Tikva, is in the same boat. She hasn’t drunk water in years. Instead, she opts for soft drinks, tea or coffee. “I prefer drinks with flavor,” she said. “I’ve tried taking a small bottle of water to work, but I never finish it. I’m just not thirsty.”
Asked if she’s aware of the risks, she doesn’t hesitate. “Yes, but even knowing the dangers of dehydration, my brain just won’t let me drink water. I’ve tried adding mint or cucumber—nothing works. Not drinking enough causes all kinds of problems: dry skin, constipation, headaches. I wish there were a pill I could swallow that would hydrate me.”
Expert: Sweetened drinks aren't a substitute for water
Dr. Ofri Yalin, a clinical dietitian at Schneider Children’s Medical Center and a specialist in eating disorders and sports nutrition, confirmed that the old advice still holds true—water is essential.
“Water plays a central role in every system in the body. Preventing cellular dehydration is critical for hormonal, immune, neurological, cardiovascular, digestive, muscular and skeletal function,” she said.
“The human brain is 75% water. When we’re dehydrated, the brain literally shrinks. Even mild dehydration from exercise on a hot day alters brain function. It also impacts mood—people who don’t drink enough report more fatigue, drowsiness, low energy and confusion. As soon as they drink, everything changes for the better.”
What happens when you chronically avoid water?
“Clinical studies show that inadequate water intake is linked to a long list of health issues—ranging from mild symptoms like headaches and tiredness to serious complications: increased risk of falls, fractures, heatstroke, kidney damage, lung problems, bladder and colon cancer, bladder infections, constipation, tooth decay, weakened immune function, cataracts, cardiovascular problems, dry or sunken skin and eyes—and even death from severe dehydration, especially after physical exertion.”
One major study tracking 20,000 men and women found that people who drank at least five glasses of water a day were half as likely to die of heart disease compared to those who drank two or fewer.
How much water is enough?
The general rule of thumb, said Dr. Yalin, is 30 milliliters per kilogram of body weight (roughly half an ounce per pound). For example, a woman weighing 70 kg (154 lb) should aim for 2.1 liters (71 fl oz) per day.
“Cold water absorbs 20% faster than room-temperature water. And while soda water is an acceptable substitute, sweetened drinks are not,” she noted. “There’s some debate about soda and tooth enamel but it’s now widely accepted that it poses no health risk.”
What about tea or coffee?
“Old guidelines used to say you needed an extra glass of water for every cup of tea or coffee because they’re diuretics. But new research shows that hot drinks can be counted toward your daily fluid intake— even those containing caffeine. The exception is alcohol, like wine or beer, which actually dehydrates the body.”
Tips for reluctant water drinkers
For those who struggle to drink water, Dr. Yalin offers a few practical tips:
• Add lemon slices, mint, cucumber, or ginger to improve flavor.
• If you dislike cold water, opt for hot herbal infusions.
• Use hydration reminder apps.
• Set routines: drink two glasses after waking up, one before each meal and one before bed.
Her final word of advice: “Water isn’t optional. It’s a basic building block of health.”