How much water is too much?

nuckinfutta

How much water is too much? I drink about 15 cups a day, is this too much? Im currently at 12 cups and its only 230. I just started this online tracking thing. Can anyone advise?
Thanks

Heidi

melsinct

You would have to drink a ridiculous amount of water in order for it to harm you. Drink when you are thirsty and drink enough to not be dehydrated per the US military's urine hydration chart. It is the easiest way to tell if you are drinking enough:

http://www-nehc.med.navy.mil/downloads/healthyliv/nutrition/urinekleurenkaart.pdf

jennaworksout

you take your weight, divide by 2 and thats how many ounces you should drink....that could be alot depending onthe eprons weight I would think....thats what i heard anyways, I drink 64 oz a day , thats pretty much the norm.

danibabs

I get a gallon everyday. During my recovery weeks I push 200 oz a day. I think I've heard your kidneys can process up to quart an hour no problem.

iplayoutside19

I wouldn't worry about it. You'd probably get to taste some of it twice if you've had too much......this happened to a freind.

stephanie1133

I asked this before on a different site and got some very (what I considered) dramatic answers both ways.

I personally drink a gallon to a gallon and a half of water per day. I workout a lot too though, and I live in Phoenix where it's already getting over 100 degrees. I've been doing this for months, and I feel great.

I'm certain that it can vary from person to person and I doubt there's an specific answer out there for you as far as the exact amount. My best advice would be to drink the amount you feel you need, don't force it down, but also try not to let yourself get thirsty -- not only for dehydration reasons, but because sometimes thirst and hunger signals can get their wires crossed which can throw a wrench in your day calorie wise if it leads you to overeat.

vim_n_vigor

The problem is if you drink a lot way to fast. As long as you keep your electrolytes balanced, you can drink what you want.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hyponatremia/DS00974

myfitnessnmhoy

you take your weight, divide by 2 and thats how many ounces you should drink....that could be alot depending onthe eprons weight I would think....thats what i heard anyways, I drink 64 oz a day , thats pretty much the norm.

Yeah, I weigh 216, and I can't imagine drinking much more than 64 ounces of water. It would be safe - water intoxication and other problems start at much higher dosages, like 400 ounces or a half-gallon consumed within a half hour after sweating heavily - but my urine color is just fine as it is.

jg627

If your speech gets slurred and you feel drunk, call 911. It's pretty hard to do that though... well both, getting water intoxication and calling 911 while you are intoxicated.

lizard053

At 185 pounds, I drink about a gallon of water a day. It's not too much for me. In fact, some days it's not enough! A good rule of thumb is to look at your pee. If it's clear or nearly so, you're getting enough water.

Some people are prone to losing their electrolyte balance when they drink lots of water. Marathons and other long-term type activities where you sweat a lot can also do this. But for most of us, water is great! It takes gallons of water to be harmful for most people.

tlcangel97

I started a new weight loss program about a mouth ago and was told to drink 96oz of water a day. Always drink a glass of water when you wake up and always a glass before each meal.

nuckinfutta

WOW! Thanks everyone for the positive and helpful responses!! My cube mate scared me by saying someone died from drinking too much water! I think i am good though, i just gave up soda, (yay me) so drinking water has helped me cleanse alot of bad stuff i am sure was floating around in my body!

Thanks again Everyone!

SexyCook

I shoot for minimum of 8 cups...depending on my eating and higher sodium days I go for a GALLON...to flush....

nuckinfutta

Thanks for the link! I am properly hydrated according to the chart, great to know what to look for!!

myfitnessnmhoy

WOW! Thanks everyone for the positive and helpful responses!! My cube mate scared me by saying someone died from drinking too much water! I think i am good though, i just gave up soda, (yay me) so drinking water has helped me cleanse alot of bad stuff i am sure was floating around in my body!

Thanks again Everyone!

Someone did, in fact, die from drinking too much water. In fact, it happens all the time. It usually happens to marathon runners and other athletes who sweat a lot, eat very little to nothing, and drink pretty much nothing but pure water. They sweat out all their electrolytes and their bodies shut down. Google "Water Intoxication".

There was a much-publicized one about a military cadet in Florida who had to run a long time in full battle gear in some ridiculously high temperature. He drank something like a gallon of water all at once. And died. So, yeah, it can happen.

I've heard that one cited a LOT by cubemates when I'm on my 6th glass of water for the day. Yup, because sitting on my *kitten* in an air-conditioned cube farm drinking a half gallon of water a DAY is at all comparable with sweating for hours in battle dress in 110 degree heat and full sun and drinking a gallon of water in 10 minutes.

That doesn't mean that an "extra" 50, 100, or even 200 ounces of water a day accompanied with a reasonably-healthy diet and normal exercise is going to kill you. Once you get up around 300 ounces of water a day, you'll probably want to drink a Gatorade from time to time to be on the safe side, though... No sense doing anything CRAZY. :laugh:

Honestly, you're probably wasting your time drinking much more than 64 ounces. But you're not hurting yourself, and if you enjoy it, DRINK UP! :drinker:

Congrats on giving up the soda.

shbretired

I drink 1 gallon in the winter, and 2 in the summer. Makes sense to me, as I'm out sweating in the yard with gardening. ☺

nuckinfutta

WOW! Thanks everyone for the positive and helpful responses!! My cube mate scared me by saying someone died from drinking too much water! I think i am good though, i just gave up soda, (yay me) so drinking water has helped me cleanse alot of bad stuff i am sure was floating around in my body!

Thanks again Everyone!

Someone did, in fact, die from drinking too much water. In fact, it happens all the time. It usually happens to marathon runners and other athletes who sweat a lot, eat very little to nothing, and drink pretty much nothing but pure water. They sweat out all their electrolytes and their bodies shut down. Google "Water Intoxication".

There was a much-publicized one about a military cadet in Florida who had to run a long time in full battle gear in some ridiculously high temperature. He drank something like a gallon of water all at once. And died. So, yeah, it can happen.

I've heard that one cited a LOT by cubemates when I'm on my 6th glass of water for the day. Yup, because sitting on my *kitten* in an air-conditioned cube farm drinking a half gallon of water a DAY is at all comparable with sweating for hours in battle dress in 110 degree heat and full sun and drinking a gallon of water in 10 minutes.

That doesn't mean that an "extra" 50, 100, or even 200 ounces of water a day accompanied with a reasonably-healthy diet and normal exercise is going to kill you. Once you get up around 300 ounces of water a day, you'll probably want to drink a Gatorade from time to time to be on the safe side, though... No sense doing anything CRAZY. :laugh:

Honestly, you're probably wasting your time drinking much more than 64 ounces. But you're not hurting yourself, and if you enjoy it, DRINK UP! :drinker:

Congrats on giving up the soda.

Thanks for the info fellow cubie!! I do enjoy it, i feel way better for it too, small ways...like i dont feel as tired, and my feet havent swollen up at night. Ya know, the small things!!!