how much water is too much water?

nomorearmflab
nomorearmflab Posts: 76
edited October 3 in Food and Nutrition
Alright, so I was just wondering about opinions because I am on my third liter of water today. is this too much water?

Replies

  • frugalmomsrock
    frugalmomsrock Posts: 1,123
    I wouldn't think so.

    How much have you exercised? I'm on my fifth liter, and I'll surely be well into my sixth by bed time. I work out a lot, though. I usually drink three liters on my days off...
  • Michelle9939
    Michelle9939 Posts: 291
    I usually can't over around 80oz a day or I will be running to the bathroom every 5 minutes to pee. It's just what your body can handle. There is such thing called water intoxication but I think that is a lot of water in a short amount of time. I don't think you are anywhere close to that though.
  • daves160
    daves160 Posts: 600
    Let your pee be your guide. Should be a lemon yellow. not dark, not clear.

    Also too much without any salt can dilute your body's water to an unsafe saline content, but that is a lot of water.
  • twentytwobecky
    twentytwobecky Posts: 35 Member
    I think some people just need more water than others. I sweat- a lot. So sometimes I will drink three liters a day, especially if I'm talking a lot - don't want bad breath from having a dry mouth.
  • Michelle9939
    Michelle9939 Posts: 291
    Alright, so I was just wondering about opinions because I am on my third liter of water today. is this too much water?
    I love your screen name by the way. :)
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    3 liters is about 100 ounces, or 12.5 eight ounce servings. That's not too much.

    If you were guzzling a gallon (128 ounces... about 3.75 liters) in one sitting, it could be dangerous, but over the course of the day, not a problem. I typically have about 12-16 eight ounce servings a day.
  • MissMaryMac33
    MissMaryMac33 Posts: 1,433 Member
    If you are drinking this much because you're thirsty and it won't go away you should see your doctor -- this is a very common symptom of diabetes.

    Other than that, you're not drinking all that much out of the norma... here are some articles.

    http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=strange-but-true-drinking-too-much-water-can-kill

    http://drbenkim.com/drink-too-much-water-dangerous.html
  • ATT949
    ATT949 Posts: 1,245 Member
    "too much"

    Dunno.

    It could be more than you body needs because we know that most folks don't need more than 64 oz of water from all sources.

    http://ajpregu.physiology.org/content/283/5/R993.full

    That doesn't directly address your issue, though.

    The simple question - are you thirsty? If so, drink water.

    Do you use water to curb your appetite? If so, drink water.

    If you're not thirsty and if you don't need it to curb your appetite, you probably don't need to drink a lot of water — even if it's been "purified" with scotch or bourbon! :-)


    Personally, I drink very little plain water. Yes, I have a pitcher for filtered water that I keep in the 'fridge but I rarely drink from it. I drink iced tea, coffee, and Coke Zero from time to time. Yesterday, I ran 11 miles as part of my training for a marathon. I lost 102 oz of water (I weigh myself before and after runs since I need to know how much water I require). During the run, I consumed 42 oz of replenisher drink (Crystal Light, sugar, salt, and potassium) so I had to make up about 60 oz of water. I drank a couple of Soy Chocolate Milk drinks and then had iced tea if I felt thirsty. No need for plain water.
  • frugalmomsrock
    frugalmomsrock Posts: 1,123
    If you are drinking this much because you're thirsty and it won't go away you should see your doctor -- this is a very common symptom of diabetes.

    Other than that, you're not drinking all that much out of the norma... here are some articles.

    Sometimes you're just thirsty. I am thirsty and my sugars are never elevated. My one hour postprandial is usually 120 tops, and my two hour postprandial is usually 80-90. I'm still thirsty... Not saying that is true for everyone, but no reason to instill fear unduly.

    I also spread my five or six liters out through the entire day-much of while I'm exercising. I sweat a LOT. Like dripping on the floor beneath my machines, a lot. I start my morning with about half a liter bottle, over ice, and then hit the gym and drink three liters while there, and then spread the rest out until bed time. I'm thirsty. *shrug*
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    Unless you drink it all in one sitting, there's no such thing as "too much." If you bring in more than your body needs, you'll just pee it all out.
This discussion has been closed.

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