Should you force yourself to drink more?
noobletmcnugget
Posts: 518 Member
All my life I've just never felt the need to drink much fluid. I just don't often feel thirsty. I usually only drink 1-2 glasses a day, and often don't get the urge to until at least late afternoon.
If I want to drink more than this, especially if it's water, I have to force myself to and it's not very nice.
I don't really understand why everyone is recommended to drink such large volumes of water. Surely after 19 years my body is pretty good at telling me how much I need and when?
Btw, I'm not very active so that could contribute.
If I want to drink more than this, especially if it's water, I have to force myself to and it's not very nice.
I don't really understand why everyone is recommended to drink such large volumes of water. Surely after 19 years my body is pretty good at telling me how much I need and when?
Btw, I'm not very active so that could contribute.
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Replies
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are you dehydrated
check your pee ... if it's not light straw colour then drink more
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A lot of times your stomach or head is saying your hungry but in fact your thirsty. The more you drink, the more you train her brain or stomach to drink more. It does get more natural the more you drink. And I agree w the pee chart abv.0
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Oh no, asparagus season is about to start. But yeah, the chart is more reliable than most of the misinformation about water intake.0
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I sure as heck don't drink extra at least not consistently or if not thirsty.
People seem to think it will make them feel fuller. And it is true that we sometime mistake thirst for hunger. And that if you drink a big glass of water you will probably eat less right afterwards.
I drink coffee, and soup, and some water from time to time, and veggies and fruits and yogurt... all these contain moisture.
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I didn't used to think I was dehydrated until I started drinking more water. My urine wasn't dark like what's in the chart above but I had dimples in my nails that the doctors couldn't explain...started drinking more water and over time they disappeared...go figure. Oh and drinking more water gives me more energy and my skin doesn't look as dry.
At first it was hard because I was like you - it's not like I started going from 1-2 cups to 8+ overnight...it took months.0 -
are you dehydrated
check your pee ... if it's not light straw colour then drink more
But why does it need to be light straw coloured or paler? If it's darker it just means your kidney is concentrating it more by reabsorbing more water. There's nothing wrong with that. You therefore still get the water you need, just by not getting rid of as much instead of drinking more.0 -
A lot of times your stomach or head is saying your hungry but in fact your thirsty. The more you drink, the more you train her brain or stomach to drink more. It does get more natural the more you drink. And I agree w the pee chart abv.
I actually find that if I drink more frequently I get hungry a lot more frequently.0 -
On average might be more applicable, does that work for you?noobletmcnugget wrote: »are you dehydrated
check your pee ... if it's not light straw colour then drink more
But why does it need to be light straw coloured or paler? If it's darker it just means your kidney is concentrating it more by reabsorbing more water. There's nothing wrong with that. You therefore still get the water you need, just by not getting rid of as much instead of drinking more.
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neanderthin wrote: »
On average might be more applicable, does that work for you?noobletmcnugget wrote: »are you dehydrated
check your pee ... if it's not light straw colour then drink more
But why does it need to be light straw coloured or paler? If it's darker it just means your kidney is concentrating it more by reabsorbing more water. There's nothing wrong with that. You therefore still get the water you need, just by not getting rid of as much instead of drinking more.
Still doesn't explain it...0 -
Most food (well vegetables) are around 80% water so you get a lot of water from your food. . Your body has a pretty good way of telling you if you need fluid that's thirst. the only real time you should maybe try and chug a bit more down if your in a very hot climate or just very hot. The 8 glasses a day thing has no actual basis in science. It was originally an advertising campaign for a mineral water company then people just sort of latched onto it. How can you say a 120 pound woman needs the same amount of water as a 250 pound man? It makes no sense.
Most of us will get water through various sources and because we are lucky and live in areas that don't have water issues we're likely to be adequately hydrated. I alway find it funny when people go on about how much water they drink like it's some type of competition. In the 1980s/1990s many sports bodies were telling people to drink so much that after some cases of Hyponatreamia in endurance athletes the guidelines are now to drink when you're thirsty
I don't track fluids of any kind unless they have calories or are electrolyte tablets I use on long runs0 -
I am not a big water drinker either. It does not fill me up. The effect on me is more trips to the toilet and that isn't an up side. I think I probably get enough water0
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I don't drink much water at all and I have no problem staying hydrated, apparently there's even water in the food I eat.noobletmcnugget wrote: »neanderthin wrote: »
On average might be more applicable, does that work for you?noobletmcnugget wrote: »are you dehydrated
check your pee ... if it's not light straw colour then drink more
But why does it need to be light straw coloured or paler? If it's darker it just means your kidney is concentrating it more by reabsorbing more water. There's nothing wrong with that. You therefore still get the water you need, just by not getting rid of as much instead of drinking more.
Still doesn't explain it...
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I sure as heck don't drink extra at least not consistently or if not thirsty.
People seem to think it will make them feel fuller. And it is true that we sometime mistake thirst for hunger. And that if you drink a big glass of water you will probably eat less right afterwards.
I drink coffee, and soup, and some water from time to time, and veggies and fruits and yogurt... all these contain moisture.
Whenever I try this I end up ravenous about 30 mins after drinking the water. Surely most of the time it's not mistaking thirst for hunger but rather the large volume of fluid temporarily fills the stomach, creating the short-lived feeling of being full.... so actually you were hungry but drinking just subsides it for a while.
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Drink if you're thirsty.0
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isulo_kura wrote: »Most food (well vegetables) are around 80% water so you get a lot of water from your food. . Your body has a pretty good way of telling you if you need fluid that's thirst. the only real time you should maybe try and chug a bit more down if your in a very hot climate or just very hot. The 8 glasses a day thing has no actual basis in science. It was originally an advertising campaign for a mineral water company then people just sort of latched onto it. How can you say a 120 pound woman needs the same amount of water as a 250 pound man? It makes no sense.
Most of us will get water through various sources and because we are lucky and live in areas that don't have water issues we're likely to be adequately hydrated. I alway find it funny when people go on about how much water they drink like it's some type of competition. In the 1980s/1990s many sports bodies were telling people to drink so much that after some cases of Hyponatreamia in endurance athletes the guidelines are now to drink when you're thirsty
I don't track fluids of any kind unless they have calories or are electrolyte tablets I use on long runs
Thanks for the reply! That definitely makes more sense. I can definitely see drinking more being more of an issue in warmer climates/ if you're highly active.
Thanks.0 -
noobletmcnugget wrote: »are you dehydrated
check your pee ... if it's not light straw colour then drink more
But why does it need to be light straw coloured or paler? If it's darker it just means your kidney is concentrating it more by reabsorbing more water. There's nothing wrong with that. You therefore still get the water you need, just by not getting rid of as much instead of drinking more.
dehydration is dehydration
the colour signifies that adequate liquid (doesn't have to be water) is being taken in
urine is about flushing through the system, the kidney shouldn't have to work harder
this is the closest they get to appropriate advice
you can google hydration and look for the science for your answers (I'm happy with the top summary part and don't really care to know that much more)0 -
I make sure im hydrated so my body is working efficiently. Its also importnat for exercise.
Go and look up dehydration, but rather you than me.0 -
noobletmcnugget wrote: »are you dehydrated
check your pee ... if it's not light straw colour then drink more
But why does it need to be light straw coloured or paler? If it's darker it just means your kidney is concentrating it more by reabsorbing more water. There's nothing wrong with that. You therefore still get the water you need, just by not getting rid of as much instead of drinking more.
dehydration is dehydration
the colour signifies that adequate liquid (doesn't have to be water) is being taken in
urine is about flushing through the system, the kidney shouldn't have to work harder
this is the closest they get to appropriate advice
you can google hydration and look for the science for your answers (I'm happy with the top summary part and don't really care to know that much more)
But the only reason it's clearer is because you're removing more water which suggests there's more of an excess. As long as your urine isn't really concentrated, surely it's fine. The whole point of the kidney is to regulate water reabsorption to maintain homeostasis... it's just doing it's job surely?
I tried doing a quick google and could just see a bunch of magazine-style websites (the type that also advocate detoxes, etc.). I'll have a better look later if I have time.
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I find if I drink enough water my body lets me know when I haven't....that could be the issue...you don't drink enough so your body has decided well I guess I should shut this off...it happens with food so why not liquids.
based on the chart I am hydrated 98% of the time except for first thing in the morning and some weekends when I "forget" to take my water with me.
It doesn't have to be water btw just stay hydrated...fruit, veggies, soups, juice, Milk...just be aware most people say water as it is calorie free.
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For me drinking keeps me full for hours. And I'm not ravenous after 1/2 hour.
I don't drink a lot of plain water unless in the middle of heavy cardio. Tea (mostly herbal) and a bit of crystal light usually very diluted makes up my liquids. I also take my food into consideration (fruits Vegs etc)
My body needs to repair build etc. So I make sure it has what it needs. Or I try to. Proteins fats carbs and water. I don't want to take the chance that my body could be doing more for me by restricting something as simple as drinking a bit more water so I personally strive to get the minimum every day and usually get way more. I have no doctor's paper just this is how I choose to do it.
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Why make your kidneys work more than they need to? Do you like having to work more than you need to? Would you paint a large wall with a big roller or a 1" brush?
I personally drink a lot of water. I am prone to bladder infections. These can then travel to the kidneys and then it's a whole lot of fun. Almost been hospitalised twice.
Drinking water flushes out some germs that shouldn't be there. If I have an infection I drink a pint of water every half an hour. There's a challenge!!
A friend of mine was doing around an hour or more of cardio a day and wasn't drinking enough, he ended up in hospital. Peeing BLOOD is no fun at all... Kidney infection due to dehydration.
So it is important to stay hydrated. There are many other reason to do so as well, kidney function is just a key one of mine!
The chart seems to be a good indcator although things do affect the colour of your pee...vitamins, beetroot etc... If you are eating well and drinking things other than water you might be OK, especially if you are not sweating much or having any issues like headaches and so on.
Everyone is different!
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The only reason you're removing more water is because there's more water available. You don't "need" to drink more water unless:
a) you're an athlete. Dehydration impairs performance (no benefit by overhydration). So you stay on top of it.
b) you have a story of kidney disease. More concentrated (i.e. darker) urine has a much higher propensity to create kidney stones. Beyond genetic predisposition, highly concentrated urine is the highest risk factor. I had a coworker that kept a vial with his excreted stones at his desk to remind him to drink.
c) you're thirsty.
If you're happy with the way your hydration is working for you, no worries. We are all different. I sweat buckets sometimes (early summer, before I get acclimated to working out in humid heat ) but then it changes. So liquid intake changes.
I also don't like water alone that much, but take a bunch of other liquids. Coffee, tea, diluted fruit juice, soda, etc. Mostly low-calories.0 -
Dehydration affects your ability to function
If your urine is more concentrated it signifies that you are dehydratednoobletmcnugget wrote: »noobletmcnugget wrote: »are you dehydrated
check your pee ... if it's not light straw colour then drink more
But why does it need to be light straw coloured or paler? If it's darker it just means your kidney is concentrating it more by reabsorbing more water. There's nothing wrong with that. You therefore still get the water you need, just by not getting rid of as much instead of drinking more.
dehydration is dehydration
the colour signifies that adequate liquid (doesn't have to be water) is being taken in
urine is about flushing through the system, the kidney shouldn't have to work harder
this is the closest they get to appropriate advice
you can google hydration and look for the science for your answers (I'm happy with the top summary part and don't really care to know that much more)
But the only reason it's clearer is because you're removing more water which suggests there's more of an excess. As long as your urine isn't really concentrated, surely it's fine. The whole point of the kidney is to regulate water reabsorption to maintain homeostasis... it's just doing it's job surely?
I tried doing a quick google and could just see a bunch of magazine-style websites (the type that also advocate detoxes, etc.). I'll have a better look later if I have time.
'more of an excess' ??
so where are you judging that adequate is if not by the colour chart? It actually shows you at what point your urine is too concentrated doesn't it? Isn't the very nature of the chart a hydration guideline.
I'm failing to see the issue you're seeing0 -
When a physician is checking a patient for dehydration the first thing they look at is the color of your urine.0
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Dehydration affects your ability to function
If your urine is more concentrated it signifies that you are dehydratednoobletmcnugget wrote: »noobletmcnugget wrote: »are you dehydrated
check your pee ... if it's not light straw colour then drink more
But why does it need to be light straw coloured or paler? If it's darker it just means your kidney is concentrating it more by reabsorbing more water. There's nothing wrong with that. You therefore still get the water you need, just by not getting rid of as much instead of drinking more.
dehydration is dehydration
the colour signifies that adequate liquid (doesn't have to be water) is being taken in
urine is about flushing through the system, the kidney shouldn't have to work harder
this is the closest they get to appropriate advice
you can google hydration and look for the science for your answers (I'm happy with the top summary part and don't really care to know that much more)
But the only reason it's clearer is because you're removing more water which suggests there's more of an excess. As long as your urine isn't really concentrated, surely it's fine. The whole point of the kidney is to regulate water reabsorption to maintain homeostasis... it's just doing it's job surely?
I tried doing a quick google and could just see a bunch of magazine-style websites (the type that also advocate detoxes, etc.). I'll have a better look later if I have time.
'more of an excess' ??
so where are you judging that adequate is if not by the colour chart? It actually shows you at what point your urine is too concentrated doesn't it? Isn't the very nature of the chart a hydration guideline.
I'm failing to see the issue you're seeing
The thing your body is aiming to keep constant is osmotic pressure. Doing this results in varying degrees of water reabsorption, and so varying shades of urine.
Surely as long as homeostasis of your body water content is maintained, it doesn't matter whether that comes from increased water input or decreased water output?
In my mind 'adequate' is when you're not experiencing any physical symptoms of dehydration (e.g. headaches). Going by the chart doesn't make sense to me (aside from the extremes).0 -
noobletmcnugget wrote: »Dehydration affects your ability to function
If your urine is more concentrated it signifies that you are dehydratednoobletmcnugget wrote: »noobletmcnugget wrote: »are you dehydrated
check your pee ... if it's not light straw colour then drink more
But why does it need to be light straw coloured or paler? If it's darker it just means your kidney is concentrating it more by reabsorbing more water. There's nothing wrong with that. You therefore still get the water you need, just by not getting rid of as much instead of drinking more.
dehydration is dehydration
the colour signifies that adequate liquid (doesn't have to be water) is being taken in
urine is about flushing through the system, the kidney shouldn't have to work harder
this is the closest they get to appropriate advice
you can google hydration and look for the science for your answers (I'm happy with the top summary part and don't really care to know that much more)
But the only reason it's clearer is because you're removing more water which suggests there's more of an excess. As long as your urine isn't really concentrated, surely it's fine. The whole point of the kidney is to regulate water reabsorption to maintain homeostasis... it's just doing it's job surely?
I tried doing a quick google and could just see a bunch of magazine-style websites (the type that also advocate detoxes, etc.). I'll have a better look later if I have time.
'more of an excess' ??
so where are you judging that adequate is if not by the colour chart? It actually shows you at what point your urine is too concentrated doesn't it? Isn't the very nature of the chart a hydration guideline.
I'm failing to see the issue you're seeing
The thing your body is aiming to keep constant is osmotic pressure. Doing this results in varying degrees of water reabsorption, and so varying shades of urine.
Surely as long as homeostasis of your body water content is maintained, it doesn't matter whether that comes from increased water input or decreased water output?
In my mind 'adequate' is when you're not experiencing any physical symptoms of dehydration (e.g. headaches). Going by the chart doesn't make sense to me (aside from the extremes).
Well if you think you know what you're doing...
Although I would ask how you check that homeostasis of your body water content is maintained if not by colour of urine .. because thirst is not a good indicator, and impact on brain and physical function is hard to identify unless you're a top-class athlete, headaches would probably come at extremes after less obvious systems have been working harder than required.
wouldn't suit me to go against conventional advice0 -
noobletmcnugget wrote: »Dehydration affects your ability to function
If your urine is more concentrated it signifies that you are dehydratednoobletmcnugget wrote: »noobletmcnugget wrote: »are you dehydrated
check your pee ... if it's not light straw colour then drink more
But why does it need to be light straw coloured or paler? If it's darker it just means your kidney is concentrating it more by reabsorbing more water. There's nothing wrong with that. You therefore still get the water you need, just by not getting rid of as much instead of drinking more.
dehydration is dehydration
the colour signifies that adequate liquid (doesn't have to be water) is being taken in
urine is about flushing through the system, the kidney shouldn't have to work harder
this is the closest they get to appropriate advice
you can google hydration and look for the science for your answers (I'm happy with the top summary part and don't really care to know that much more)
But the only reason it's clearer is because you're removing more water which suggests there's more of an excess. As long as your urine isn't really concentrated, surely it's fine. The whole point of the kidney is to regulate water reabsorption to maintain homeostasis... it's just doing it's job surely?
I tried doing a quick google and could just see a bunch of magazine-style websites (the type that also advocate detoxes, etc.). I'll have a better look later if I have time.
'more of an excess' ??
so where are you judging that adequate is if not by the colour chart? It actually shows you at what point your urine is too concentrated doesn't it? Isn't the very nature of the chart a hydration guideline.
I'm failing to see the issue you're seeing
The thing your body is aiming to keep constant is osmotic pressure. Doing this results in varying degrees of water reabsorption, and so varying shades of urine.
Surely as long as homeostasis of your body water content is maintained, it doesn't matter whether that comes from increased water input or decreased water output?
In my mind 'adequate' is when you're not experiencing any physical symptoms of dehydration (e.g. headaches). Going by the chart doesn't make sense to me (aside from the extremes).
Well if you think you know what you're doing...
Although I would ask how you check that homeostasis of your body water content is maintained if not by colour of urine .. because thirst is not a good indicator, and impact on brain and physical function is hard to identify unless you're a top-class athlete, headaches would probably come at extremes after less obvious systems have been working harder than required.
wouldn't suit me to go against conventional advice
Probably by the fact that I've gone the past 19 years only drinking when thirsty without any issues.
I think I'll just continue how I am.
Thanks for the replies!
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so why would you ask the question in the first place if something is not niggling you
to be honest we can get away with treating our body like sh1t in our youth .. seriously it bounds and rebounds no matter what we put it through .. you should be looking at what you're laying down for your future self - the person you are going to be in 30 years or so
good musculature, good cardiovascular fitness, well-rounded nutrition, avoiding too much excess of stuff you know is bad for you (drugs / alcohol / loose women) and yes hydrating properly
*falls on deaf ears*
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So your a typical 19 year old that knows more than you think you really do. Don't believe the color chart, don't believe anything any one else tells you. By all means keep doing what you're doing and don't listen to any of the medical community's advice in regards to hydration...surely you know more than they do...0
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Asks a questions, gets answers. Doesn't like answers so argues the point with special snowflake anecdotal evidence.
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