Is the water requirement important?

fitmusiclifeviola

I wonder if anyone has read this article?
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/you-dont-need-8-glasses-of-water-a-day/

The title is the main point, arguing that research has largely shown 8 glasses of water to not provide particular benefit, and citing the likely source of the 8 glasses to be a paper that noted the water largely comes from one's regular diet. I exercise and drink water to play tennis, but when not working out, don't drink large quantities. Have you any personal anecdotes about the importance or lack thereof in drinking a minimum of 8 glasses water?

SnuggleSmacks

Have you seen this article? It shows a before and after photo of a woman who tried drinking three liters of water a day for a month. She found all sorts of benefits. While I realize that this is anecdotal and a subject group of one, it's certainly worth trying for yourself before you decide what to believe, as it will cost you nothing, or nearly nothing (I would at least recommend purchasing a good filtered water pitcher).

dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2480491/How-drinking-litres-water-day-took-years-face.html

onasunnyafternoon

Eh I find that the more water I drink the better I feel, it works for me

RodaRose

Five thirty eight has major science behind it.
also this:
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/13/myth-eight-glasses-water-day

karenrich77

I drink 3 litres a day because I like it and it makes me feel good and my skin is so much better, but I am just one person

SnuggleSmacks

You know, I couldn't find anything on Google Scholar that addresses quantity, only quality of water...so I'll just leave you with this.

crisb2

I LOVE water. I've quit alcohol, sugary drinks, juices and sodas. So, essentially I've given up ALL liquid calories, additives/chemicals and just chug water like a crazy person. My skin is ridiculously better. You will NEVER be constipated if you drink TONS of water (hard stools are dehydrated stools basically). It curbs appetite. If I don't have 4-5 liters of water a day I feel yucky, I don't have a better word to describe it. I just feel like my insides work better when I am VERY well hydrated. I've read that when you feel thirsty you're already dehydrated, so you should drink water as a habit, even if you don't "feel thirsty". And aren't our bodies made mostly of water? I wouldn't want to be like a shriveled prune...

Do the experiment for yourself! Spend a week getting your "8 glasses a day" from your diet. And then spend a week drinking 1/2 your weight in ounces, so if you weigh 140lbs, drink 70oz of water. And then decide what you'd like to do... it'll be fun, like a water challenge!

SnuggleSmacks

crisb2 wrote: »

I LOVE water. I've quit alcohol, sugary drinks, juices and sodas. So, essentially I've given up ALL liquid calories, additives/chemicals and just chug water like a crazy person. My skin is ridiculously better. You will NEVER be constipated if you drink TONS of water (hard stools are dehydrated stools basically). It curbs appetite. If I don't have 4-5 liters of water a day I feel yucky, I don't have a better word to describe it. I just feel like my insides work better when I am VERY well hydrated. I've read that when you feel thirsty you're already dehydrated, so you should drink water as a habit, even if you don't "feel thirsty". And aren't our bodies made mostly of water? I wouldn't want to be like a shriveled prune...

Do the experiment for yourself! Spend a week getting your "8 glasses a day" from your diet. And then spend a week drinking 1/2 your weight in ounces, so if you weigh 140lbs, drink 70oz of water. And then decide what you'd like to do... it'll be fun, like a water challenge!

I would be up for that. The article I posted above has intrigued me.

lexbubbles

I had bloodwork done at the DRs and came back as "perfectly hydrated" on 500ml (about 2 glasses) of liquid a day. Obviously I drink when I work out (maybe another 500ml per hour so on workout days I drink about 1l), but I find if I drink more as a regular thang I feel very bloated/sluggish, headache-y, and sick.

So IDK. Personally I feel like *kitten* if I drink 8 glasses of anything. Maybe I just gets loads from food.

Woomytron

Everybody is different. Some may find they need more water then others. I personally find if I don't drink enough water that the next day I feel slightly stiff (mainly in my hands). I have also found that drinking enough water has cut down on crazy cravings for food. I use to wake up at midnight STARVING, since drinking the requirement amount I no longer have that problem. Try it for yourself and see if it helps you any.

crisb2

Some people may even feel dizzy if they drink too much water, but i think that may be low sodium, magnesium or potassium... not necessarily the water making you feel bad. I'm guessing, I've never felt bad from MORE water.

lexbubbles

crisb2 wrote: »

Some people may even feel dizzy if they drink too much water, but i think that may be low sodium, magnesium or potassium... not necessarily the water making you feel bad. I'm guessing, I've never felt bad from MORE water.

Well since the water (if you drink too much too quickly) will flush the sodium etc out of your body thus reducing your levels then yes, in a way, it IS the water making you* feel bad

*Me, in this particular instance.

Honestly never felt worse than that time I decided to up my fluid intake to the 'recommended' 2-2.5 litres a day. So many headaches (and I almost never get those) ugh. Ugh ugh. Never doing that again.

You do you, though. If you feel great on 4-5l, that's great. Keep doing it.

ETA: I've never been constipated in my life, either. Not once.

CatLady1309

I've started drinking at least 6/7 glasses a day & I feel so much better.Headaches are gone,Cravings for soda drinks are gone.My skin is so much better too! everyone is different tho.I'll personally never go back to when I barely drank it.

starryeyed251

I've been pushing over 100oz a day for the past few weeks. I've noticed a huge difference in my skin and general well being. It has also curbed my "hunger" pangs which has more to do with the fact that my body was probably craving hydration rather than food. I used to drink very little before taking on the 100oz challenge.

Beyonce's lyrics, "I've been drinkin', I've been drankin" run through my mind every time I drain my Nalgene. ;-)

999tigger

I would take anything the Daily Mail says with a healthy dose of caution.
You need to drink enough fluids per day to help the body function properly and to avoid becoming dehydrated. You can tell from the colour of your urine.
Water is cheap, refreshing and it fills you up.

The amount of fluid per day is 1.6l for women and 2l for men.

There is such a thing as drinking too much water called water intoxication, but this is only if you drink several litres in a very short space of time and is rare. You can read about it here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/6263029.stm

crisb2

lexbubbles wrote: »

crisb2 wrote: »

Some people may even feel dizzy if they drink too much water, but i think that may be low sodium, magnesium or potassium... not necessarily the water making you feel bad. I'm guessing, I've never felt bad from MORE water.

Well since the water (if you drink too much too quickly) will flush the sodium etc out of your body thus reducing your levels then yes, in a way, it IS the water making you* feel bad

*Me, in this particular instance.

Honestly never felt worse than that time I decided to up my fluid intake to the 'recommended' 2-2.5 litres a day. So many headaches (and I almost never get those) ugh. Ugh ugh. Never doing that again.

You do you, though. If you feel great on 4-5l, that's great. Keep doing it.

ETA: I've never been constipated in my life, either. Not once.

Technically, that would be low sodium/potassium making you feel bad. But, if you don't want to drink a drop of water for the rest of your life, that's really your choice, good luck with that...

wamydia

My understanding of the current research is that there really isn't any proof behind the 8 glasses/ day recommendation. I think the newer idea about drinking water is to drink as much as your body needs to stay hydrated and feeling good. The amount will change depending on your health status, activity level, etc. Just make sure your body gets water when it asks for it. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256

Scarecrowsama

fitmusiclifeviola wrote: »

I wonder if anyone has read this article?
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/you-dont-need-8-glasses-of-water-a-day/

The title is the main point, arguing that research has largely shown 8 glasses of water to not provide particular benefit, and citing the likely source of the 8 glasses to be a paper that noted the water largely comes from one's regular diet. I exercise and drink water to play tennis, but when not working out, don't drink large quantities. Have you any personal anecdotes about the importance or lack thereof in drinking a minimum of 8 glasses water?

There is not only that article, there are hundreds talking about that myth. I have never had any issue with dehydration, actually, when I "over drink", I just pee more clear urine. I rarely consume 8 glasses of water a day, I just drink when I feel thirsty, period.

Lorleee

I drink when I'm thirsty, mainly, and at work I tend to drink more so I have a reason to get up and walk a bit. I've never been one to guzzle multiple litres of it and it's never slowed my weight loss. I suppose if you're focused on downing water you're not thinking about eating? And you're not drinking sugary pop. There are multiple benefits to making water your drink of choice but I always roll my eyes at connecting weight loss with water consumption.

MsHarryWinston

I drink sooooo muuuuuch water. It helps keep my skin lucious. It helps with appetite. It helps keep water retention down. It keeps lots of water in my muscles for healing after lifting weights. AND it keeps my sodium levels down which is something that I've had to watch for years. But I also pee aaaaaaaaall the tiiiiiiiiiiiiiime.

Scarecrowsama

Let's see how are your kidneys going to be in a few years.

kimmid70

. I personally find if I don't drink enough water that the next day I feel slightly stiff (mainly in my hands). I have also found that drinking enough water has cut down on crazy cravings for food.

Same for me. I feel much better when I drink my water every day. I aim for 8 glasses. I don't always get that, but I only drink water.

ksy1969

When I focus on water, I just pee more.

I don't have the link anymore, but I found an article awhile back from The Mayo Clinic and to sum it up, it pretty much said, it is a myth. Drink enough liquid to keep your urine a pale yellow. Notice how I bolded liquid? They specifically stated it does not have to be water because most everything we drink is made up of mostly water (Coffee, pop, tea etc....).

alazio

Reduces bloating and appetite, two things I really struggle with. Agree there is nothing sacred about 8 cups.

Lounmoun

I drink water. Most days I don't drink anything else. I usually have a large glass of water with each meal and drink water between meals whenever I feel thirsty.
I gave up counting how many glasses of water per day because I think I get plenty of water. I don't feel that 8 glasses of water is a bad goal to shoot for but if you drink 5 glasses of water instead and are not thirsty then you are probably fine.