Drinking a Gallon of Water a Day...does it really matter?

Almost everyday someone in these forums posts that they struggle with drinking so much water. No matter what others say, they seem to ignore anyone who doesn't agree with the idea that we need so much plain water....and yet they wonder why it's so hard to drink it all.

It's good to be skeptical about other people's opinions on a public forum. So, here is an article on the subject with opinions from people in the medical field who SHOULD know. It's not simply MY opinion.

If nothing else, this demonstrates that this subject is debatable and not a hard scientific or medical fact. The question will then be..."Who do you believe?"

Peace.

---

Eight glasses of water a day an urban myth'?

Water and a well-balanced diet 'do far more than water alone,' Australian researcher says

CBC News

Posted: Jun 10, 2012 12:51 AM ET

Last Updated: Jun 10, 2012 12:48 AM ET

The common advice to drink eight glasses of water a day doesn't hold water, say nutrition and kidney specialists who want to dispel the myth.

"What drove us to drink two litres of water a day?" asks an editorial in this week's issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

The recommendation was driven by vested interests rather than health, suggests author Speros Tsindos of the department of dietetics and human nutrition at La Trobe University in Victoria, Australia.
Other beverages also help us meet the body's fluid needs, say nutrition specialists. (Aaron Harris/Canadian Press)
"Humans need to maintain fluid balance and need to drink water when required, but should also consider fluid in unprocessed fruits and vegetables and juices. There is further evidence that water and a well-balanced diet does far more than water alone," Tsindos wrote.

"Water is important for health; however, the recommendation of eight glasses of pure water per day appears an overestimation of requirements."

Even a baked potato is 75 per cent water, said nutrition Prof. Susan Barr of the University of British Columbia, who sat on a Canadian-U.S. committee that looked at fluid intake.

"There's nothing magical about water from a glass of water as opposed to water from a food or any other beverage," Barr said.

Drinking caffeinated beverages such as tea and coffee do not lead to dehydration, said Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, a nephrologist at the University of Pennsylvania who reviewed research claims on drinking eight glasses of water and studied how the kidneys handle it.

Let thirst guide you

"Drinking the coffee will count towards your total water intake for the day," Goldfarb said.

Goldfarb said despite the common idea that it's important to "drink eight glasses of eight ounces of water" a day, "There’s no evidence that benefits health in any real way and it really represents an urban myth."

There's no evidence you need to drink more water than what thirst dictates, Goldfarb added.

Studies on desert nomads showed people can consume minimal amounts of water in harsh environments. The military has also looked at how much water soldiers need to take with them when patrolling in hot climates without harming their performance.

"If one is just playing a game of tennis in an indoor facility, for example, or having a short run on a treadmill in an air-conditioned gym, the need to maintain hydration during that is just non-existent," Goldfarb advised.

People have died of dehydration and from drinking too much water too quickly.

A good guide to tell if the body’s finely tuned fluid balance is to check the colour of your urine. If it's very dark, you're on the dry side; if it's very light or translucent, then you need to drink a bit less water, said Dr. David Price, head of family medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont.

I try to drink at least 120 ounces a day but am happy with 100. it matters to me. If I don't get at least 100 ounces, I feel dehydrated.

I drink more than 1/2 my body weight in oz. I had no idea that the 160 oz I drink/day was more than a gallon! ( I never thought about it.) When I work out, I can easily drink 64 oz during my exercise. Water is basically the only thing I drink now. I used to drink a 2 liter of diet coke a day, but I quit drinking pop cold turkey after drinking it more than 20 years.

I tried doing this once, and included other drinks in my count. It was too much for me. It made me feel bloated and a bit weak. My urine was completely clear, like water. I went back to my usual amount to drink per day - about 2/3 of that - and felt better in a couple of hours.

:noway: Bump, I'm curious about the replies. But no time to read! Have to get back to work!

Here's my thought behind it, really:

if I'm drinking water, I'm not drinking soda.

I drink around a gallon a day; didn't really have any reason to start, I was just trying to drink lots! Lol now that you mention it, tho, I haven't had any breakouts since drinking this much and the one I had cleared up quickly and my nails grow so fast lately! I was always cutting them because the were breaking and now I have to cut them because they are getting too long! I've only been drinking this much water for like a month!

How much water is everyone drinking per day? Is it necessary to drink a Gallon of water a day? For those of you who do, may you please comment on your experience weight gain/loss, skin, energy etc... For those who are against drinking that much water a day please share your reasons...

Before I got on MFP I never drank water...like ever. So, once I started MFP I read somewhere you should drink 1/2 of your body weight in oz of water per day..so I was drinking about 11- 8oz cups of water a day...Then this week I realized I might as well drink 16--to hit the gallon mark. And I want to hear people who do it regularly or tried it and didn't like it..health thoughts.

I will say this..this past week I noticed my skin was looking radiant and my nails were super long. I thought it was because of this new face cream I was using ...then today it hit me..that it had to be the water because my nails are only this long and strong when I take a supplement like Biotin and I haven't done that in months...

Depends on your weight and your daily expenditure ~ no more and no less; Enough to support your weight and your activities (both mental & physical combined) and you should be alright.

Here is my personal unprofessional opinion. I drink water and every now and again I'll add crystal light for flavor. It comes out to be about 8-10 8oz cups a water a day, and if im working out possibly more. I dont want to give myself any un-needed calories from juice, or soda.. Its good and natrual and I like it. Oh yea, and i will say my weight loss is more consistant when I drink water regularly (at least 6 cups a day).

^^ This is the same reason why I keep to 6-8, 8 oz glasses of water per day. And yes, it is great for the skin, hair and nails!!!

I drink probably 2-3 L a day, and many times it's just to avoid snacking mindlessly!

Absolutely it matters. I don't like to see my urine color dark yellow and smells. Has to be clear. That's why I drink quite a bit of water throughout the day (despite having to use the bathroom quite a bit, but so be it).

i drink between half a gallon and a gallon a day. i am on a vegan diet, which means lots of fiber, and the water helps with digestion. drinking water also keeps me from reaching for a snack. i used to drink three sodas a day... now i drink water or tea instead.

it does help with my skin, hair, and nails, and i get extra exercise when i get up to empty my bladder every hour or so!

I couldn't agree more, I drink about 6 to 8 ounce cups of water daily and often a bit more when I exercise to keep from dehydrating, I feel great and I'm continuing to lose about 1 to 2 lbs per week...

makes me feel full so I am not eating something all the time and its better than drinking your calories. You dont have all the sugar and artificial flavors so it has to be healthier.

I drink a minimum of 64 oz a day. I am cutting out diet pop ( well my daily pop, I will have on occasion still )and it fills that sipping I always did before. I love water though. Always have :-)