How important is water consumption?

taylorjgarner
taylorjgarner Posts: 27 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi everyone! I was just wondering if anyone could shed light on the true importance of water consumption. Is it really a driving force in losing weight? If so, how? Are there any formulas to calculate how much water you should be consuming daily? I am 5'6", 190lb, lifting daily, moderate cardio.
Thanks!

Replies

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    Hydration is important for health. But that can come from any liquid you drink (except for alcohol) and many of the foods that you eat. You could lose weight without ever once drinking any water (if you wanted).

  • HealthierRayne
    HealthierRayne Posts: 268 Member
    I agree water shouldn't really be considered as a weight loss tool or hindrance. It is a necessity for proper body function and general good health :smile:

    I remember hearing somewhere that as a basic rule of thumb, half an ounce per lb of body weight - although I cannot recall the source, sorry!
  • shennard80
    shennard80 Posts: 23 Member
    When dehydrated or under-hydrated your stomach could be sending you hunger signals when you're really just thirsty. In that case, it could prevent over eating and help in weight loss.
  • fishshark
    fishshark Posts: 1,886 Member
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    Hydration is important for health. But that can come from any liquid you drink (except for alcohol) and many of the foods that you eat. You could lose weight without ever once drinking any water (if you wanted).

    u get a tiny tiny amount of hydration from alcohol.. esp beer.
  • Nuke_64
    Nuke_64 Posts: 406 Member
    Most the rules of thumbs have little to no basis. The most reasonable ones I have heard relate to the color of your urine (tint of yellow) and the firmness of your stool (banana). The urine one is based on Army guidance to prevent heat stroke. The stool recommendation is what a colorectal Surgeon recommended to me.
  • Br3ntG
    Br3ntG Posts: 29 Member
    Water consumption is very important. The amount of water you need to consume will depend on activity levels. I aim for 3x 600ml bottles so 1.8 L and am moderately active.
  • taylorjgarner
    taylorjgarner Posts: 27 Member
    Thanks everyone! Great feedback!
  • snowflake930
    snowflake930 Posts: 2,188 Member
    I read this about a week ago.

    The National Academy of Medicine says that men need about 125 oz and women need about 91 oz of water per day. (this is an average number) This can come from all foods and beverages consumed. The Mayo Clinic also advocates water coming from all foods/beverages consumed. Of course amounts may vary from individual to individual depending on climate; activity level etc.

    For what it is worth.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    fishshark wrote: »
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    Hydration is important for health. But that can come from any liquid you drink (except for alcohol) and many of the foods that you eat. You could lose weight without ever once drinking any water (if you wanted).

    u get a tiny tiny amount of hydration from alcohol.. esp beer.

    Bring on the beer!
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    A calorie deficit is the biggest factor in losing weight. However, when I think I'm hungry ill drink a full glass of water and reevaluate my hunger in 20 minutes. 9 times out of 10 I'm only thirsty. Water does aid in my weight loss.
  • upoffthemat
    upoffthemat Posts: 679 Member
    I will say that while drinking about a gallon of water a day I tend to be less dizzy and have less headaches as well as just generally feel better. I think it is easy to be dehydrated and that can have a lot of negative effects.
    I know a lot of people don't drink as much water, but I just find I feel a lot better. I like water ice cold but I do drink a lot of it and have learned to like the taste of it more. Some days I put lemon in it and some days I will use crystal light or something. Also will drink green tea on cold days.
    I don't have it as much for weight loss now as I do because I just feel better.
  • jessef593
    jessef593 Posts: 2,272 Member
    Well, if you'd like to. Spend the next two weeks without drinking water, see how well you function. Then drink 3L plus a day and determine the difference. I must drink over 4L a day in order to feel at Optinum levels. For weight loss though, the only thing that truly determines if you'll burn fat Is calories.
  • Cynsonya
    Cynsonya Posts: 668 Member
    fishshark wrote: »
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    Hydration is important for health. But that can come from any liquid you drink (except for alcohol) and many of the foods that you eat. You could lose weight without ever once drinking any water (if you wanted).

    u get a tiny tiny amount of hydration from alcohol.. esp beer.

    Haha, not me.
    1 beer = 2 trips to the restroom
    4 beers = 8 trips
    And so on.... :D
  • shawnathan9
    shawnathan9 Posts: 17 Member
    Water is an awesome element to keep good bowel movements in addition to re hydrating your tissues; Your body is said to be 70-80% water by matter.

    Water is vital to determine hunger vs. Thirst which is easily confused by many people.

    I try to aim for 2-3 liters daily. This does not include fruits and veggies. Hope you keep your urine pale or white as possible ;)
  • shawnathan9
    shawnathan9 Posts: 17 Member
    Lack of hydration may give the appearance of bloat as well. The body retains old water until fresh water is supplied.. thus allowing for elements to move out and be cleansed at the same time.
  • Tricia7188
    Tricia7188 Posts: 135 Member
    shawnathan9 wrote: »
    Lack of hydration may give the appearance of bloat as well. The body retains old water until fresh water is supplied.. thus allowing for elements to move out and be cleansed at the same time.
    ^^^ yep!!
    Also if you're eating more fruits and veggies, water is really important to prevent constipation, all that fiber needs water to keep it moving along haha.
    .5 fl oz per lb has been good for me so far.
    The thirst/hunger thing is real for sure. Also dehydration can cause headaches and who needs that.
  • KillerKel01
    KillerKel01 Posts: 16 Member
    Hello, I haven't read all the posts so if I'm repeating, I apologize. I have a formula to figure out how much water one needs per day, and is personalized instead of generalized advice. This is not a simple question that will need only a couple sentences for an answer.

    Weigh yourself. Divide your weight in half to determine how many ounces of water you should drink each day. This is a rough estimate for people who are not active, according to the Sports Medicine Institute. Based on this formula, a 100-lb. sedentary person should drink 50 ounces -- which equals 6.25 cups or 1.48 liters -- of water per day.
    OR
    Divide your weight by 2/3, instead of 1/2, if you play sports or work out regularly. A 100-lb. active person will need approximately 66 ounces of water per day, which equals 8.25 cups or 1.95 liters.
    Add 16 additional ounces of water to your total from above if you live in a dry climate. Also add another 16 ounces if you engage in strenuous exercise beyond the activity involved in a basic workout, such as rigorous training for a marathon or a major sporting event, recommends Dr. Thomas Stearns Lee, a homeopathic physician.
    Drink more water than your recommended amount if you feel thirsty, are sweating excessively due to extreme heat, or are doing physical activity that causes you to perspire more than usual.
    Avoid drinking sugary and caffeinated beverages in excess. Although you can consume foods that contain water -- such as fruit -- and drinks that contain water -- such as juice, soda, coffee and tea -- to help fulfill your daily-recommended amount of water, limit your intake of sugary and caffeinated beverages, for health reasons.

    So, using the above formula, a person weighing 150 pounds may multiply their weight by 2. 150 x 2 = 300. then divide by 3. 300 / 3 = 100 ounces. A 150 pound person needs to drink at least 100 ounces of water per day. 8 ounces equals one cup.

    Why do we need water?
    Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water to work correctly. For example, your body uses water to maintain its temperature, remove waste, and lubricate joints.Water makes up more than half of your body weight. You lose water each day when you go to the bathroom, sweat, and even when you breathe. You lose water even faster when the weather is really hot, when you are physically active, or if you have a fever. Vomiting and diarrhea can also lead to rapid water loss. If you don’t replace the water you lose, you can become dehydrated.
    Symptoms of dehydration include the following:

    •Little or no urine, or urine that is darker than usual
    •Dry mouth
    •Sleepiness or fatigue
    •Extreme thirst
    •Headache
    •Confusion
    •Dizziness or lightheaded feeling
    •No tears when crying

    People who like to run, or run marathons are at risk, and we get many in the ER of all ages during a marathon.

    If you ignore symptoms of dehydration, there could be severe side effects and consequences including coma and death, heat injury, kidney failure, low blood volume shock (hypovolemic shock), seizures or swelling of the brain also known as cerebral edema.

    Coma and Death: This is the most extreme and rare side effects, but if ignored, severe cases of dehydration could lead to a state of coma or even death.

    Heat Injury: When you are working out and sweating profusely and if you don’t drink sufficient fluids, you could get a heat injury, which could be heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or a heat stroke.

    Kidney Failure: You could face renal failure when your kidneys are not functioning properly and are unable to get rid of waste and excess fluids from your body.

    Low Blood Volume Shock: This is one of the more serious side effects of dehydration and could be life threatening at times. It occurs when the blood volume in your body is reduced, leading to a dip in your blood pressure and the quantity of oxygen in your system.

    Seizures: When there is an electrolyte imbalance in your body, it can cause involuntary muscle spasms and lead to blackouts.

    Swelling of the Brain: When your body gets dehydrated, it tries to retain some of the water lost and could pull back excess waters into cells, which will swell and rupture. If the water cells affect the brain cells, it could be fatal.


    One of the first treatments we give clients in the emergency room is an IV of fluids. Many state that that their pain (of different sources) is subsiding. Many start to get a better affect. Many start to calm their anxiety, Etc. Hydration is more important that many will take seriously. Good, Fluoride free, never tap water, H2O is the way to go. Once your body gets a taste of real and pure water, you will breath better, think better, and overall perform better. I found a water purification system to use, well my boyfriend did, and I swear by it. As a medical personnel I feel comfortable enough expressing that with pure water, one will also be able to defecate as God himself intended. Everything is better in life with proper hydration.

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