Questions about proper water consumption

[burntdawn]

I have always heard that one should drink 8 glasses of water per day for at total of 64 oz. I have two questions.

1. How much do you need to increase your water consumption by to account for water you lose (due to sweating) during exercise? Say, 30 minutes of cardio?

2. How much to increase for alcohol? I have heard one pint of water for every pint of beer to avoid a hangover. Does this also make up for the water lost due to alcohol being a diuretic?

Thanks!

[qiflow]

Originally Posted by burntdawn

I have always heard that one should drink 8 glasses of water per day for at total of 64 oz. I have two questions.

Before you assume that you need 8 glasses of water per day, read this:

Dartmouth Medical School - 'Drink at Least 8 Glasses of Water a Day' - Really?

There does not seem to be any evidence for 8 glasses a day. In general, I think the best way to go is to drink when you are thirsty (and eat when you are hungry for that matter). Doesn't that make sense?

I definitely agree that you need to drink more water for athletics, however.

[Shaden]

There does not seem to be any evidence for 8 glasses a day. In general, I think the best way to go is to drink when you are thirsty (and eat when you are hungry for that matter). Doesn't that make sense?

Maybe. Up until the point where you start confusing the two desires of hunger and thirst and start eating when you're just thirsty. There isn't much difference between a hunger pang and thirst pang and I see the best way to avoid any confusion is to make sure you drink water consistently so you don't over-consume food.

[burntdawn]

I always heard that by the time you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. I can certainly say for me, that if I don't make an effort, I will only drink a few glasses a day. And I don't drink soda or anything except water, coffee and beer. I just don't feel thirsty most of the time.

[guscave]

The arguement about how much water you should drink has been going on for a long time, but most doctors, researchers and pro trainers agree that you should drink at least 8 glasses a day to keep your body hydrated.

Since foods like fruits, meats and vegetables also contain water, we could go for 2 or 3 days without drinking water and not feel thirsty but our bodies consume way more water than those foods can provide, so as burntdawn said, by the time you feel thirsty your body is already in dehydration.

[qiflow]

Originally Posted by guscave

The arguement about how much water you should drink has been going on for a long time, but most doctors, researchers and pro trainers agree that you should drink at least 8 glasses a day to keep your body hydrated.

Since foods like fruits, meats and vegetables also contain water, we could go for 2 or 3 days without drinking water and not feel thirsty but our bodies consume way more water than those foods can provide, so as burntdawn said, by the time you feel thirsty your body is already in dehydration.

A lot of people say this. However, where did the figure of 8 glasses come from originally? Noone really knows. I believe Barbara Rolls, the creator of Volumetrics and an expert on water, said she didn't even know where this came from.

Also, if you believe in evolution, how would this make sense? If your body really needs more water, why wouldn't it tell you? Why would the thirst sensor be inaccurate?

[Shaden]

I think there is no prescribed drinking amount that works to perfection. You need to find your own personal quota through experimentation and implement that into your life.

[tomn8er]

Also, if you believe in evolution, how would this make sense? If your body really needs more water, why wouldn't it tell you? Why would the thirst sensor be inaccurate?

I agree exactly. This is a no-brainer. If you're thirsty then drink. Who actually counts the number of glasses of water they drink each day? Get real. Diet shouldn't be equivalent to a chemisty lab - we're not robots. Animals do this without thinking. Why do we humans feel the need to complicate things?

[guscave]

I don't think it was suggested that you must have 8 glasses of water to survive. Rather the 8x8 claim is a good aproximate measure and reference based on our current rushed lifestyle (not those of our ancestors).

Water is a good way to curve hunger, and many studies show how proper hydration can help with everything from joint problems to acne.

Here's a great informative article from the Mayo Clinic on the benefits of proper hydration and why thirst is but only one of the signs of dehydration.

[Mark Lapierre]

Originally Posted by qiflow

Also, if you believe in evolution, how would this make sense? If your body really needs more water, why wouldn't it tell you? Why would the thirst sensor be inaccurate?

Many people have no idea what the signals their bodies send actually mean. If a woman can make it through an entire pregnancy without realising she's pregnant until she goes into labour, then you can bet people will misinterpret pangs of hunger or thirst. Our bodies are still doing their jobs most of the time, we just don't pay enough attention to them.

Also, we're all different in the way our bodies use water; what is enough for someone might be far too little for someone else. 8 glasses is a guideline. Listen to your body.

[Alvin]

Test it out for yourself.

I know when I don't drink a lot of water, maybe 5-6 glasses a day, I feel more lethargic. But when I hydrate with 1 to 1.5 litres or more, I have more energy.

Whatever works for you.

[qiflow]

Originally Posted by Mark Lapierre

Many people have no idea what the signals their bodies send actually mean. If a woman can make it through an entire pregnancy without realising she's pregnant until she goes into labour, then you can bet people will misinterpret pangs of hunger or thirst. Our bodies are still doing their jobs most of the time, we just don't pay enough attention to them.

Also, we're all different in the way our bodies use water; what is enough for someone might be far too little for someone else. 8 glasses is a guideline. Listen to your body.

Good points. I agree, you have to see what feels right for your body. I was just trying to dispel the 8 glasses gospel that everyone quotes. It is kind of like the saying "You only use 10% of your brain". Where did that even come from?!

Originally Posted by Alvin

Test it out for yourself.

I know when I don't drink a lot of water, maybe 5-6 glasses a day, I feel more lethargic. But when I hydrate with 1 to 1.5 litres or more, I have more energy.

Whatever works for you.

I agree, it is definitely a personal thing to test and see what feels best. I know that I tried 80oz of water a day, on top of whatever else I had, and it felt like too much. So I just go have a drink when I am thirsty. Everyone is an individual.

Peace.