Myth or fact: Your body stores water when its afraid it wont get any more later?
kaitbannonrun
Posts: 19 Member
So Ive been noticing recently that I don't drink nearly enough water or none actually . I workout in the heat a lot(its been around 100-105 degrees) but don't drink any water afterwards, only a protein shake cause I'm not very thirsty or I'm just exhausted i forget to drink. I'm 100% sure I'm in a extremely dehydrated state so I'm gonna start making the effort to drink more water. The problem is I read up on a couple of sites that when you've been extremely dehydrated for a long period of time, your body automatically stores the water you finally drinking in your body (making you alot more bloated and puffy) because its afraid it won't get any later? Is this true or is it just a myth?
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Replies
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The body doesn't get afraid but yes dehydration increases water weight
Drink adequately so urine is pale straw colour or lighter and it will flush out given some time
And try to stop reading fitness blogs and unsubstantiated tabloid / celeb advice ...it's really hard to mentally unwind the crap they spill into the universe5 -
So what you're saying is you'd rather stay dehydrated and damaging your body than risk adding a couple of pounds of water weight by drinking enough water....?0
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I think it's true, but I think it happens for short or long dehydration. You have to drink water to release water. As you become more hydrated you will lose the water it's already storing - and any in the initial rehydration.
That's what happens to me anyway!0 -
I don't mean to sound rude, but really, who cares? If you have realised that you are in an extremely dehydrated state....getting puffy or adding water weight should be the least of your concerns. Dehydration has a whole range of other really unhealthy effects on your body....it can kill you.
You've googled 'dehydration', did you read up about all the other really seriously bad effects of being seriously dehydrated?
You can go without food for a period of time, but not water. So drink up! Even if you do bloat up like a puffer fish, it won't be forever. You're body will regulate eventually, and you will sleep better, not be as exhausted after work, poop better, urinate enough, fight infection, regulate body temperature, among other things....14 -
are you sure the bloating is due to water/lack of water? I don't think it's rare that people get bloated because of protein shakes, especially if you're lactose intolerant (which you might be, even if it's a mild intolerance - which is extremely common, actually).1
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Rather than a protein shake you would be better with water and some nuts and/or fruit, give your digestion something to work on and satisfy your thirst much more cleanly and effectively. Add a rehydration sachet if you are concerned about lack of salts due to the high heat.0
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What's your pee look like? And are you drinking anything else during the day other than that one protein shake?3
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Your made up of about 70% water so getting enough is really important. Will you bloat from drinking more water possibly but certainly temporarily I would be more worried about inflamation from not getting enough water as your liver and kidneys aren't capable of getting rid of toxins without adequate water. Finally any nutritionist with half a brain will tell you if your using Protein powder to supplement a deficit in your nutrition to drink plenty of water.
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Firefly0606 wrote: »I don't mean to sound rude, but really, who cares? If you have realised that you are in an extremely dehydrated state....getting puffy or adding water weight should be the least of your concerns. Dehydration has a whole range of other really unhealthy effects on your body....it can kill you.
Agree with this. Also, any water retention would be short term.
As for whether you are actually dehydrated, the pee test is a nice check. Drinking water when working out in the heat is a really good idea, though, in any case.
Also, your body doesn't experience feelings and emotions like being afraid so holding on to weight or water or what have you. I know you probably didn't mean it literally but I think it's an odd way people have of talking about it. Your body is given signals/inputs that result in certain actions.1 -
are you sure the bloating is due to water/lack of water? I don't think it's rare that people get bloated because of protein shakes, especially if you're lactose intolerant (which you might be, even if it's a mild intolerance - which is extremely common, actually).
I'm not bloating because of my protein shake, I ment I bloat whenever i start to drink water since I hardly/never drink water and I'm always dehydrated.0 -
Carlos_421 wrote: »What's your pee look like? And are you drinking anything else during the day other than that one protein shake?
No I only drink a protein shake after my run and I don't run everyday but other than that I don't drink anything not even tea or other beverages. I know its really bad
but sometimes I'm not as thirsty or again I forget to drink. I do eat a lot of foods with high water content though. Does that count? 0 -
Carlos_421 wrote: »What's your pee look like? And are you drinking anything else during the day other than that one protein shake?
Oh and I forgot to mention my pee is a dark yellow which I'm assume means I'm dehydrated as I've been told/learned0 -
Michael190lbs wrote: »Your made up of about 70% water so getting enough is really important. Will you bloat from drinking more water possibly but certainly temporarily I would be more worried about inflamation from not getting enough water as your liver and kidneys aren't capable of getting rid of toxins without adequate water. Finally any nutritionist with half a brain will tell you if your using Protein powder to supplement a deficit in your nutrition to drink plenty of water.
What exactly happens if I get inflammation due to not enough water? And I only drink after my runs which isn't everyday other than that I don't really drink much which is why I'm asking this because Im curious to know whether my body is actually storing the extra water.0 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »Firefly0606 wrote: »I don't mean to sound rude, but really, who cares? If you have realised that you are in an extremely dehydrated state....getting puffy or adding water weight should be the least of your concerns. Dehydration has a whole range of other really unhealthy effects on your body....it can kill you.
Agree with this. Also, any water retention would be short term.
As for whether you are actually dehydrated, the pee test is a nice check. Drinking water when working out in the heat is a really good idea, though, in any case.
Also, your body doesn't experience feelings and emotions like being afraid so holding on to weight or water or what have you. I know you probably didn't mean it literally but I think it's an odd way people have of talking about it. Your body is given signals/inputs that result in certain actions.
Yeah it was sorta a silly way to put it but I ment it figuratively haha Im just curious whether its true or not. I'm not afraid to drink water I'll happily drink it but like I mentioned I forget to drink it sometimes or I just don't get thirsty and I'm sure that's just damaging my body as I'm being told in this forum 0 -
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TavistockToad wrote: »So what you're saying is you'd rather stay dehydrated and damaging your body than risk adding a couple of pounds of water weight by drinking enough water....?
No of course not, I just want to know whether its true that your body holds onto water and stores it when you finally drink some after being dehydrated for so long0 -
kaitbannonrun wrote: »Michael190lbs wrote: »Your made up of about 70% water so getting enough is really important. Will you bloat from drinking more water possibly but certainly temporarily I would be more worried about inflamation from not getting enough water as your liver and kidneys aren't capable of getting rid of toxins without adequate water. Finally any nutritionist with half a brain will tell you if your using Protein powder to supplement a deficit in your nutrition to drink plenty of water.
What exactly happens if I get inflammation due to not enough water? And I only drink after my runs which isn't everyday other than that I don't really drink much which is why I'm asking this because Im curious to know whether my body is actually storing the extra water.
Most people can tolerate a three to four percent decrease in total body water without difficulty or adverse health effects. A five to eight percent decrease can cause fatigue and dizziness. Loss of over ten percent of total body water can cause physical and mental deterioration, accompanied by severe thirst. Death occurs at a loss of between fifteen and twenty-five percent of the body water.0 -
I'm amazed you haven't gotten a kidney infection if you literally aren't drinking much. If I go a few days and drink only about 50 oz a day I start getting symptoms of a kidney infection.1
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You realize your body needs water to process the protein in the protein shake? Drink lots.1
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markrgeary1 wrote: »You realize your body needs water to process the protein in the protein shake? Drink lots.
I actually didn't know that but thank you for telling me.0 -
kaitbannonrun wrote: »are you sure the bloating is due to water/lack of water? I don't think it's rare that people get bloated because of protein shakes, especially if you're lactose intolerant (which you might be, even if it's a mild intolerance - which is extremely common, actually).
I'm not bloating because of my protein shake, I ment I bloat whenever i start to drink water since I hardly/never drink water and I'm always dehydrated.
Stop being silly. You're dehydrated. Go drink more water. You NEED water. You may bloat temporarily, but that'll go away in a day or 2. Water weight is temporary. It's dangerous to not keep your body hydrated.2 -
kaitbannonrun wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »So what you're saying is you'd rather stay dehydrated and damaging your body than risk adding a couple of pounds of water weight by drinking enough water....?
No of course not, I just want to know whether its true that your body holds onto water and stores it when you finally drink some after being dehydrated for so long
No, you are not a camel. Question answered now drink something already.4 -
kaitbannonrun wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »So what you're saying is you'd rather stay dehydrated and damaging your body than risk adding a couple of pounds of water weight by drinking enough water....?
No of course not, I just want to know whether its true that your body holds onto water and stores it when you finally drink some after being dehydrated for so long
No, you are not a camel. Question answered now drink something already.
Your kidneys will really appreciate it!2 -
Your body does not anticipate. That being said if you are in a dehydrated state your body will sponge up what it can to compensate.
It can do that by....concentrating urine and stop sweating.
Then your body will overheat and you will have a whole new set of problems.2 -
Also, you're defeating purpose if you're not consuming enough water. Muscles need water for repair and growth (if that's your goal) and it will BYPASS utilizing water for this if you're not taking in enough to support normal function. Not completely, but muscle repair and growth won't be optimal.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Also, you're defeating purpose if you're not consuming enough water. Muscles need water for repair and growth (if that's your goal) and it will BYPASS utilizing water for this if you're not taking in enough to support normal function. Not completely, but muscle repair and growth won't be optimal.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
I actually read about that a while back, thanks for confirming though. Ill have to make sure I drink up after a run because I do notice my muscles seem to be a lot more exhausted and sore days after my runs. Another question if you don't mind, is it harder for the body to burn fat when your dehydrated and hardly drink especially if you sweat and run a lot?0 -
The posterior pituitary releases anti-diuretic hormone when you're dehydrated, and the adrenal cortex releases aldosterone, which helps you reabsorb sodium and H2O, so yes, when your blood volume gets low, your body hangs on to all the water that it can. You don't really store it up so much as conserve it, by inserting more water channels into the last part of the kidney tubules, so that water can flow out of the urine and be transferred back into the bloodstream. It's pretty *kitt'n* amazing actually.2
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Also, you're defeating purpose if you're not consuming enough water. Muscles need water for repair and growth (if that's your goal) and it will BYPASS utilizing water for this if you're not taking in enough to support normal function. Not completely, but muscle repair and growth won't be optimal.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Are you still there?0 -
kaitbannonrun wrote: »Also, you're defeating purpose if you're not consuming enough water. Muscles need water for repair and growth (if that's your goal) and it will BYPASS utilizing water for this if you're not taking in enough to support normal function. Not completely, but muscle repair and growth won't be optimal.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Are you still there?
You can tag him @ninerbuff. I'll also quote your other question for him:kaitbannonrun wrote: »Also, you're defeating purpose if you're not consuming enough water. Muscles need water for repair and growth (if that's your goal) and it will BYPASS utilizing water for this if you're not taking in enough to support normal function. Not completely, but muscle repair and growth won't be optimal.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
I actually read about that a while back, thanks for confirming though. Ill have to make sure I drink up after a run because I do notice my muscles seem to be a lot more exhausted and sore days after my runs. Another question if you don't mind, is it harder for the body to burn fat when your dehydrated and hardly drink especially if you sweat and run a lot?
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Unlike fat which is the product of excess caloric consumption, I don't think it's possible for the human body to store "excess" water. All water consumed that is not used and retained by the body in some biophysical way is almost immediately expelled by urination perspiration or respiration. That's why people will die of dehydration long before starvation.0
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