Staying Hydrated During Ramadan
Plan fluid across the non-fasting hours
There is no single litre target that is right for every adult. Fluid needs vary with body size, climate, physical activity, pregnancy or breastfeeding, illness and medicines. A practical approach is to drink regularly between Iftar and Suhoor rather than trying to catch up with a very large amount at once.
What can help
- Make water your main drink and keep it available through the evening.
- Include foods that contain fluid, such as soups, yoghurt, fruit and vegetables, as part of a balanced diet.
- Limit very sugary drinks and use caffeine in moderation if it disrupts sleep or makes it harder for you to manage fluid intake.
- Increase attention to hydration in hot weather or after physical activity.
When to get help
Marked dizziness, confusion, fainting, inability to keep fluids down, very reduced urination or other severe symptoms need medical attention. Do not continue a fast when a healthcare professional has advised that doing so is unsafe for your condition.
Source: NHS hydration guidance says 6–8 cups/glasses a day is a general guide outside fasting and that needs vary with pregnancy, breastfeeding, heat, activity and illness: NHS — Water, drinks and hydration.
Health note: general information only, not individual medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, older, take regular medicines, or live with diabetes, kidney disease, blood-pressure problems or another long-term condition, discuss fasting with a healthcare professional before Ramadan. Do not delay urgent care. For the religious ruling that applies to your circumstances, consult a qualified scholar you trust.
Hydration happens between Maghrib and Fajr
There is no way to drink during the fasting window, so the practical question is how to distribute fluid when drinking is permitted. Needs vary with climate, body size, pregnancy, illness, activity and diet.
Warning signs matter more than a universal litre target
Dark urine, worsening dizziness, confusion, inability to keep fluids down or symptoms of heat illness deserve attention. People with kidney, heart or endocrine conditions may have medically prescribed fluid limits and should not follow generic hydration targets.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I drink between Iftar and Suhoor?
Use normal hydration guidance as a starting point, but individual needs differ. Spread fluids through the non-fasting period and ask a clinician for a personal target if you have a condition that affects fluid balance.