waterd, good or bad

3lilkids

I had gut issues, which is part of the reason we went paleo. Gut was slow and a little backed up. Paleo has helped to some extent, but recently, it's helped more than I would prefer. Its to the point that i am hurrying to the bathrrom, and a good time of the day it is just watery poo. It occurred me today, is my gut flowing easier than ever because I am drinking too much water? Read a good articler on 8 reasons NOT to drink 8 glasses of water a day and got me to thinking.

SteamClutch

If you drink 8 glasses a day I would say urination would be your primary elimination issue, it was for me so I backed off to 5 or 6 now. It sounds to me like you may already be taking a pro-biotic supplement (having gut issues) which is good to an extent but you may want to back off if you are and take it a few times a week. If you are not then get a good natural one and start, but slow. Generally with paleo/primal you have less stool being generated because your body will consume most of the food for energy.

naariel

Not enough water can cause constipation. (Because stool is too dry, basically.)
But "too much" (if we're considering 8 glasses to much...) water won't all go in your gut. You gut takes what it need, the rest go elsewhere and is evacuated by your kidneys/bladder. Not your bowels. Unless you have a medical condition I have never heard of, large amount of water shouldn't find its way to your gut.

There are other reasons a change of diet could cause increased bowel movements. Increased fibres intake. Fibres (the insoluble kind) are a natural laxative. Increased fat intake. (Fat also help get things "less dry" so it goes out more easily.)

If you have diarrhea (really watery) I would consider fibres and food intolerance/intoxication and poor gut flora before blaming water. Fat intake shouldn't give you diarrhea, at "worst" unformed and easily pushed poo, but that's not diarrhea. Water is very important if you have diarrhea, as you will lose water and electrolytes, and drinking enough is the usual recommendation, not the opposite.
If it goes on, I would advise to consult.

In the end, I don't always drink 8 glasses, I don't even log water anymore in fact. When I used to, I would sometimes be at 4, sometimes 10, usually somewhere in between but rarely the "magical 8". I try to drink enough, and to not end up thirsty. But water intake isn't rocket science, at least not without a medical condition: your body tells you what it needs. If you don't drink enough, you will know. If you're struggling to finish that 5th glass and it makes you nauseous, don't push. If you don't drink enough one day, it's not a problem, even if it get you slightly dehydrated ("only" the thirsty step) you will tend to drink more and more easily to regain balance. Having a rigid water goal is great when you don't have body intuition and dismiss thirst, otherwise it's, I think, quite unnecessary.

AllanMisner

I'd think it had more to do with the amount of fiber you're getting.

Akimajuktuq

I'd think it had more to do with the amount of fiber you're getting.

This isn't necessarily true. Fibre actually causes me intestinal problems (even constipation!). I'm not unique in that as my Inuit neighbours also don't tolerate high fibre diets well.

I sometimes get loose stool when I am re-adjusting to my ketogenic lifestyle after a detour. You may also be having problems with your gut flora and may benefit from eating fermented foods. Make sure to get some foods that help with absorbing fat soluble vitamins as well.

While your bowel movements are watery, you should be drinking extra fluids to replace those lost. I don't put much stock in keeping track of water intake because I listen to my body and drink as needed. I don't drink a lot but I do have water beside me most of the time.