Nutrition at 73: Thirst Fades, So Drink to a Schedule
Thirst becomes a less reliable signal in the seventies, so many older adults drink too little without ever feeling thirsty. ESPEN suggests about 1.6 litres of drinks a day for older women and 2.0 litres for older men, spread across the day on a schedule.
- The thirst signal weakens with age, so waiting until thirsty is not enough.
- ESPEN: about 1.6 L of drinks a day for older women, 2.0 L for older men.
- Water, chaas, milk, dal, tea and soups all count.
- Heart failure or kidney disease may mean a prescribed limit — that overrides this.
- Confusion, dizziness or dark urine can be signs of dehydration.
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Why older adults drink too little
With age, the brain’s thirst response becomes less sensitive, the kidneys conserve water less well, and some people drink less deliberately to avoid night-time trips to the toilet. The result is that dehydration can develop without the person feeling thirsty.
In Indian summers, or in winter when tea replaces water, this is easy to miss. Hydration in winter covers the seasonal pattern.
How much to drink
The ESPEN guideline on nutrition and hydration in older people recommends total drinks of about 1.6 litres a day for women and 2.0 litres a day for men, unless a doctor has advised otherwise.
| Drink | roughly counts as |
|---|---|
| 1 glass water | About 200–250 ml |
| 1 cup tea or coffee | About 150 ml |
| 1 glass chaas or nimbu pani | About 250 ml |
| 1 katori dal or soup | Contributes fluid too |
| 1 glass milk | About 200–250 ml |
Drink to a schedule
- A glass of water on waking and with each meal — four glasses before you think about it.
- A drink at mid-morning and mid-afternoon tea times.
- Most of the day’s fluid before early evening, which reduces night waking.
- Keep a filled bottle in sight; a glass you can see gets drunk.
Linking drinks to things you already do is more reliable than relying on thirst. nutrition at 59 explains why thirst stops announcing itself.
Signs of dehydration in older adults
Dark urine, dizziness on standing, constipation, headaches and new confusion can all signal dehydration. Confusion in particular is often mistaken for something else in older people. If you notice it, offer fluids and seek medical advice if it does not improve.
When there is a fluid limit
People with heart failure, some kidney conditions or certain medicines may be told to restrict fluids. That instruction overrides everything here. nutrition at 74 covers how fluid and fibre work together for constipation.
Where KABO fits in
Hydration comes from water, chaas, milk and tea drunk to a schedule. A shake is food, not a fluid plan.
Made with water or milk, it does count towards the day’s drinks while adding protein. A KABO serving provides 23–25 g of complete plant protein, 26 vitamins and minerals, 4 g of fibre and 8 billion probiotics in about 198 kcal, from 60+ ingredients; it is vegan and lactose-free. If you have a prescribed fluid limit, count it within that limit. If you follow a kidney-related diet restriction, check with your nephrologist before adding any protein product, and if you take several medicines, show the label to your doctor or pharmacist first — fortified products can contain vitamin K, which matters on warfarin.
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Read next
- Nutrition at 71: Falls, Vitamin D and Why Exercise Wins
- Nutrition at 75: Why B12 Absorption Falls and What to Do
- Nutrition at 72: Many Medicines and Food Interactions
- Nutrition at 74: Constipation, Fibre and Enough Water
- Best Daily Nutrition Drink in India: A Complete Buyer's Guide (2026)
- How to Get Complete Nutrition on a Busy Schedule in India
Frequently asked questions
How much water should a 73-year-old drink?
The ESPEN guideline recommends about 1.6 litres of total drinks a day for older women and 2.0 litres for older men, unless a doctor has advised a limit. Tea, milk, chaas, soups and dal all contribute.
Why don't elderly people feel thirsty?
The thirst response becomes less sensitive with age, and the kidneys conserve water less efficiently. Some people also drink less to avoid getting up at night. Drinking to a schedule works better than waiting for thirst.
What are the signs of dehydration in older adults?
Dark urine, dizziness, constipation, headaches, dry mouth and new confusion. Confusion is easily missed or mistaken for something else, so it is worth checking fluid intake when it appears.
Does tea count towards fluid intake?
Yes. Tea and coffee contribute to fluid intake in moderate amounts. Water, milk, chaas and soups are good choices too.
Should people with heart problems drink 2 litres a day?
Not necessarily. People with heart failure or some kidney conditions may be given a fluid limit by their doctor, and that instruction overrides general advice.
Nutrition by age
13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29 · 30 · 31 · 32 · 33 · 34 · 35 · 36 · 37 · 38 · 39 · 40 · 41 · 42 · 43 · 44 · 45 · 46 · 47 · 48 · 49 · 50 · 51 · 52 · 53 · 54 · 55 · 56 · 57 · 58 · 59 · 60 · 61 · 62 · 63 · 64 · 65 · 66 · 67 · 68 · 69 · 70 · 71 · 72 · 73 · 74 · 75 · 76 · 77 · 78 · 79 · 80
Sources
- Volkert D et al., "ESPEN guideline on clinical nutrition and hydration in geriatrics", Clinical Nutrition, 2019;38(1):10-47.
- ICMR-NIN, Nutrient Requirements for Indians (RDA 2020) and Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024. nin.res.in
- World Health Organization, Healthy diet fact sheet. who.int