Water vs Hydration?!
Riley4ever
Posts: 225 Member
Hi Everyone. Saw interesting item on TV the other morning. A skin specialist was commenting on how to get firmer and plumper / less wrinkly skin and said drinking lots of water did not 'hydrate' the skin but simply makes you wee a lot (!). Instead the best 2 things you can do to 'hydrate' yourself is (1) eat lots of foods with a high water content e.g. vegetables and (2) convert fat to muscle as fat contains roughly 10% water whereas muscle, 70%
I was quite fascinated about this as wondering if drinking all this extra water (and sometimes having to get up in the night as a result) was really worth it. What do you guys think?
I was quite fascinated about this as wondering if drinking all this extra water (and sometimes having to get up in the night as a result) was really worth it. What do you guys think?
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Replies
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Yes, keep drinking water. There is more to hydrate on your body than just your skin. Muscles and organs need water too.0
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If this person actually stated that we should "convert fat to muscle," I would not listen to another word out of his mouth. That's simply not possible.
And besides that, when I used to not drink as much water, I would wake up in the middle of the night with a parched mouth and dry, cracked lips. That doesn't happen anymore.0 -
Yes, keep drinking water. There is more to hydrate on your body than just your skin. Muscles and organs need water too.
Good Point !0 -
Alot of people on here drink water to excess. I cannot speak to you personally, but I have seen people post guidelines like drink your body weight in water, which is simply ridiculous.
The exact amount of water that one needs has not even been able to be determined scientifically - even though alot of people claim they know it - because every person is different. I know that for every 1 hour of exercise I personally need about 20oz or more of water.
The best guide is your urine color, which should be lightly pale yellow - if its too yellow you are not drinking enough, and if its clear than you are probably drinking too much.
Of course, this is just my opinion!0 -
Alot of people on here drink water to excess. I cannot speak to you personally, but I have seen people post guidelines like drink your body weight in water, which is simply ridiculous.
The exact amount of water that one needs has not even been able to be determined scientifically - even though alot of people claim they know it - because every person is different. I know that for every 1 hour of exercise I personally need about 20oz or more of water.
The best guide is your urine color, which should be lightly pale yellow - if its too yellow you are not drinking enough, and if its clear than you are probably drinking too much.
Of course, this is just my opinion!
Oh and we agree!
I have a few thoughts I like to add to Emma's...
1. Most people don't drink enough (not all you MFP people of course... :laugh: ) . By the time you feel thirsty, you are likely already a little dehydrated.
2. Nobody ever got fat drinking water. Think about it... if you weren't drinking water... what would you be drinking? That Starbucks coffee, a Tim Horton's Double Double, a can of coke? Do you really miss those calories?
3. Water flushes bad stuff away. Giving our kidneys water allows them to flush away all that stuff our body doesn't need or want.
4. Even as little as a 2% drop in your body's water content (not sure if I worded that right) can cause fatigue and diminished cognitive function... in my case I need all the energy and brain cells I've got... why take the chance?
5. Think of all the calories you can burn by going to the bathroom... especially if you use one on another floor or in another area of the building.
6. Hunger can be mistaken for thirst and vice-versa. If you are hungry... have a glass of water... wait ten minutes and see if you are still hungry. If you aren't, you may have actually been thirsty and saved yourself the calories of having a snack.
7. You can get a large portion of your water in a day by eating properly. Eat your fruits and vegetables. They won't hurt you... really!0 -
Alot of people on here drink water to excess. I cannot speak to you personally, but I have seen people post guidelines like drink your body weight in water, which is simply ridiculous.
The exact amount of water that one needs has not even been able to be determined scientifically - even though alot of people claim they know it - because every person is different. I know that for every 1 hour of exercise I personally need about 20oz or more of water.
The best guide is your urine color, which should be lightly pale yellow - if its too yellow you are not drinking enough, and if its clear than you are probably drinking too much.
Of course, this is just my opinion!
Thanks for reminding me about the urine colour thingy! that is indeed a very good guide and probably better than the MFP '8' cups a day as I'm never sure if that means a vending cup or a tall glass or what sized cup!0 -
Alot of people on here drink water to excess. I cannot speak to you personally, but I have seen people post guidelines like drink your body weight in water, which is simply ridiculous.
The exact amount of water that one needs has not even been able to be determined scientifically - even though alot of people claim they know it - because every person is different. I know that for every 1 hour of exercise I personally need about 20oz or more of water.
The best guide is your urine color, which should be lightly pale yellow - if its too yellow you are not drinking enough, and if its clear than you are probably drinking too much.
Of course, this is just my opinion!
Oh and we agree!
I have a few thoughts I like to add to Emma's...
1. Most people don't drink enough (not all you MFP people of course... :laugh: ) . By the time you feel thirsty, you are likely already a little dehydrated.
2. Nobody ever got fat drinking water. Think about it... if you weren't drinking water... what would you be drinking? That Starbucks coffee, a Tim Horton's Double Double, a can of coke? Do you really miss those calories?
3. Water flushes bad stuff away. Giving our kidneys water allows them to flush away all that stuff our body doesn't need or want.
4. Even as little as a 2% drop in your body's water content (not sure if I worded that right) can cause fatigue and diminished cognitive function... in my case I need all the energy and brain cells I've got... why take the chance?
5. Think of all the calories you can burn by going to the bathroom... especially if you use one on another floor or in another area of the building.
6. Hunger can be mistaken for thirst and vice-versa. If you are hungry... have a glass of water... wait ten minutes and see if you are still hungry. If you aren't, you may have actually been thirsty and saved yourself the calories of having a snack.
7. You can get a large portion of your water in a day by eating properly. Eat your fruits and vegetables. They won't hurt you... really!
Thanks Jeff for your very informative and interesting response - I'm only disappointed you didnt make it to '10' reasons why I should drink loads of water lol - 7 is still impressive, many thanks
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Yes, keep drinking water. There is more to hydrate on your body than just your skin. Muscles and organs need water too.
This. Most people run around slightly dehydrated and don't even know it. And if you exercise a lot/sweat a lot, it's even more important!!0 -
Water - the "average person" needs about 8 cups per day. Doesn't matter where it comes from.
People who are trying to lose weight benefit from drinking a lot of water because it provides "satiety" - you feel full so you eat less.
When you need water, your body will signal you to drink water. It's called "thirst" and that mechanism has been around for quite some time.
There are many social and advertising pressures to consume more water so drinking water satisfies those needs. Other than that, all you're doing is spending time urinating.
Refer to this web page. The author is not a blogger and I don't think he's ever written for Yahoo or MSNBC. Dr Valtin a medical doctor, who happens to work for Dartmouth, who has written a textbook on human kidneys, and who has written an article with 100 footnotes.
http://ajpregu.physiology.org/content/283/5/R993.full
Again, there's nothing wrong with drinking moderate amounts of water and there's no question that filling up on water helps people who can't control their appetite. Other than that, why bother?0 -
Water - the "average person" needs about 8 cups per day. Doesn't matter where it comes from.
People who are trying to lose weight benefit from drinking a lot of water because it provides "satiety" - you feel full so you eat less.
When you need water, your body will signal you to drink water. It's called "thirst" and that mechanism has been around for quite some time.
There are many social and advertising pressures to consume more water so drinking water satisfies those needs. Other than that, all you're doing is spending time urinating.
Refer to this web page. The author is not a blogger and I don't think he's ever written for Yahoo or MSNBC. Dr Valtin a medical doctor, who happens to work for Dartmouth, who has written a textbook on human kidneys, and who has written an article with 100 footnotes.
http://ajpregu.physiology.org/content/283/5/R993.full
Again, there's nothing wrong with drinking moderate amounts of water and there's no question that filling up on water helps people who can't control their appetite. Other than that, why bother?
QFT.
Saved me getting involved again, ty
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You raise some good points but I've never found a source that cites this: "By the time you feel thirsty, you are likely already a little dehydrated. "
Since you're a runner, it might be of interest to you that the international association of marathon medical directors (everyone has an association, eh?) changed their recommendation on hydration. They used to recommend "pre-hydration" but they reversed themselves and now recommend that runners drink when they're thirsty. Their logic was based on "overwhelming medical evidence" that thirst was the correct mechanism to indicate that our bodies need water.
A couple of thoughts - I'm late to see a client -
As you point out, it doesn't hurt to drink water. It's time consuming, makes you pee a lot, it can be costly, and is of little value but it doesn't hurt.
Before I run, I drink 8 oz of water. My thinking is I'd rather carry it in my stomach than have it slosh around in my water belt or in my vest.0 -
Is this horse not dead yet? Drink liquids until you are hydrated. You will know when you are hydrated by the fact that your urine is clear or pale yellow. Once you are hydrated your body just expels the rest of the water so why bother drinking more?0
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Water - the "average person" needs about 8 cups per day. Doesn't matter where it comes from.
People who are trying to lose weight benefit from drinking a lot of water because it provides "satiety" - you feel full so you eat less.
When you need water, your body will signal you to drink water. It's called "thirst" and that mechanism has been around for quite some time.
There are many social and advertising pressures to consume more water so drinking water satisfies those needs. Other than that, all you're doing is spending time urinating.
Refer to this web page. The author is not a blogger and I don't think he's ever written for Yahoo or MSNBC. Dr Valtin a medical doctor, who happens to work for Dartmouth, who has written a textbook on human kidneys, and who has written an article with 100 footnotes.
http://ajpregu.physiology.org/content/283/5/R993.full
Again, there's nothing wrong with drinking moderate amounts of water and there's no question that filling up on water helps people who can't control their appetite. Other than that, why bother?
Thanks for the link 0 -
Alot of people on here drink water to excess. I cannot speak to you personally, but I have seen people post guidelines like drink your body weight in water, which is simply ridiculous.
The exact amount of water that one needs has not even been able to be determined scientifically - even though alot of people claim they know it - because every person is different. I know that for every 1 hour of exercise I personally need about 20oz or more of water.
The best guide is your urine color, which should be lightly pale yellow - if its too yellow you are not drinking enough, and if its clear than you are probably drinking too much.
Of course, this is just my opinion!
What's wrong with clear urine? I though it was a good sign0 -
Alot of people on here drink water to excess. I cannot speak to you personally, but I have seen people post guidelines like drink your body weight in water, which is simply ridiculous.
The exact amount of water that one needs has not even been able to be determined scientifically - even though alot of people claim they know it - because every person is different. I know that for every 1 hour of exercise I personally need about 20oz or more of water.
The best guide is your urine color, which should be lightly pale yellow - if its too yellow you are not drinking enough, and if its clear than you are probably drinking too much.
Of course, this is just my opinion!
What's wrong with clear urine? I though it was a good sign
Very very pale yellow urine is fine, but clear urine means that you are overhydrated. When you are overhydrated you are both drowning your electrolytes in the water and you are also wasting (peeing out) alot more electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Although it is rare to lose enough potassium to make a difference just by drinking water, losing enough sodium to make a difference is more than possible. Sodium is required for neurological processing, and low sodium generally causes confusion and sleepiness. Water intoxication is possible, and people can have serious consequences from the low sodium that results.0 -
Of course, if you're taking a Vitamin B2 supplement, then the urine color might not be a good indicator. Excess B2 leads to NEON yellow urine, regardless of hydration levels. :laugh:0
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Yes, keep drinking water. There is more to hydrate on your body than just your skin. Muscles and organs need water too.
Good Point !
My pee is always clear now, I do drink a lot of water but i suffer from hyperhydrosis so i need to drink loads..
drinking lots of water is better than not drinking enough. The kidneys of a healthy adult can process fifteen liters of water a day0 -
Alot of people on here drink water to excess. I cannot speak to you personally, but I have seen people post guidelines like drink your body weight in water, which is simply ridiculous.
The exact amount of water that one needs has not even been able to be determined scientifically - even though alot of people claim they know it - because every person is different. I know that for every 1 hour of exercise I personally need about 20oz or more of water.
The best guide is your urine color, which should be lightly pale yellow - if its too yellow you are not drinking enough, and if its clear than you are probably drinking too much.
Of course, this is just my opinion!
What's wrong with clear urine? I though it was a good sign
Very very pale yellow urine is fine, but clear urine means that you are overhydrated. When you are overhydrated you are both drowning your electrolytes in the water and you are also wasting (peeing out) alot more electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Although it is rare to lose enough potassium to make a difference just by drinking water, losing enough sodium to make a difference is more than possible. Sodium is required for neurological processing, and low sodium generally causes confusion and sleepiness. Water intoxication is possible, and people can have serious consequences from the low sodium that results.
Wow, thanks for letting me know. I always feel a bit strange after a few clear urinations, almost as if I'm so empty and kind of parched- which is strange given that it takes a lot of water for that to happen. Now I know why!0 -
Actually, Food Detectives did a study on water and hydration. Took two twin sisters and tested their skin hydration levels to start and found them nearly identical. Then put 'em on the same diet for whatever the length of time was, with the only difference being the amount of water they drank each day. I think one twin was four (8oz) cups and the other was either the recommended eight (8oz) cups or just slightly over. At the end, they tested them both again and the twin on the lower water intake definitely had lower hydration levels and her skin was dryer.0
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Actually, Food Detectives did a study on water and hydration. Took two twin sisters and tested their skin hydration levels to start and found them nearly identical. Then put 'em on the same diet for whatever the length of time was, with the only difference being the amount of water they drank each day. I think one twin was four (8oz) cups and the other was either the recommended eight (8oz) cups or just slightly over. At the end, they tested them both again and the twin on the lower water intake definitely had lower hydration levels and her skin was dryer.
It's funny, i saw a test exactly like this, with twins, and at the end there was no difference at all...0 -
The artcle you linked is old. I've read a more recent review that said 96 oz of water intake is appropriate. However those that think there is something magical about pure water is ridiculous. Water from fruits, veggies, and caffeinated beverages does count. I don't have the reference at home with me, but I think I'm going to lab today, and I have it there, so I'll post a link or abstract.0
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The artcle you linked is old. I've read a more recent review that said 96 oz of water intake is appropriate. However those that think there is something magical about pure water is ridiculous. Water from fruits, veggies, and caffeinated beverages does count. I don't have the reference at home with me, but I think I'm going to lab today, and I have it there, so I'll post a link or abstract.
While it counts, IMO nothing does the trick like water. Especially if you exercise and sweat a lot. My eyes were opened when I found out I was slightly dehydrated on a trip to the doctor's office. At the time I was training for my first half marathon, in the winter (cold dry air/windy), and relying on brewed/unsweetened tea for my "hydration" because I had heard that it "counts" as water. At the time I was probably drinking about 3-4 glasses of water per day, and at least as much tea, if not more. I did a little homework and discovered that based on the amount of exercise I was doing, I needed to drink a lot more plain old water. I ditched the tea, and upped my intake to at least 96 oz a day, and no problems since then.0 -
If you're training hard then ofc you need more! You could have just drunk more tea! Same thing! It's just getting more fluid into your body, through whatever means, tea, coffee, water, fruit, veg, etc.0
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If you're training hard then ofc you need more! You could have just drunk more tea! Same thing! It's just getting more fluid into your body, through whatever means, tea, coffee, water, fruit, veg, etc.
Guess I wasn't very clear on my first post...I was probably already getting about the same amount of "fluid" from tea AND water, but when I changed to all water, no more problems.
Besides, getting more "fluid" into your body with food can be difficult if you are trying to lose weight. More calories are often not a good option.0 -
If you're training hard then ofc you need more! You could have just drunk more tea! Same thing! It's just getting more fluid into your body, through whatever means, tea, coffee, water, fruit, veg, etc.
I would agree with this.
Hydration is actually a lot more to do with fluid and sodium balance than water alone. Drinking excessive water and restricting your sodium is one of the fastest ways to become dehydrated. A biochemist specialist consultant once gave a presentation that I attended where he spoke about dehydration in the elderly and said that them drinking predominantly tea and coffee wasn't the problem, it was that they didn't take salt in their tea (and also generally eat less than younger people therefore less dietary sodium if that wasn't implied)
On a side note, showing up as slightly dehydrated in a blood test doesn't really mean anything (especially if it is a fasted test) - if you did the test 50 times in a day you would get 50 different results.
Edited to add that I am not saying go nuts on sodium just saying that too much water can definitely be a bad thing!0 -
To be fair, you said 3 or 4 cups a day of each, which at 4 cups would be 64 oz. Then you said you upped your intake to 96 oz. Pretty obvious that the 32 extra ounces of fluid led to your hydration levels increasing, and not changing from tea to water.If you're training hard then ofc you need more! You could have just drunk more tea! Same thing! It's just getting more fluid into your body, through whatever means, tea, coffee, water, fruit, veg, etc.
Guess I wasn't very clear on my first post...I was probably already getting about the same amount of "fluid" from tea AND water, but when I changed to all water, no more problems.
Besides, getting more "fluid" into your body with food can be difficult if you are trying to lose weight. More calories are often not a good option.0 -
If you are interested in the subject a great book to read is the Water Secret by Howard Murad, M. D. It's a fascinating read!0
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