How many glasses of water a day? Maybe a surprise here for

Lazyboy09
Lazyboy09 Posts: 190 Member
edited September 27 in Food and Nutrition
Myth #1: Drinking excessive water can rid the body of toxins
Myth #2: Drinking lots of water will curb hunger and lead to weight loss
Myth #5: You need to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day

http://www.philly.com/philly/living/CTW_health_20110513_Eight_glasses_of_water_a_day__Maybe_not.html


BTW, don't attack me if you don't agree.

Replies

  • jrueckert
    jrueckert Posts: 355 Member
    ha. definitely disagree with that.
  • Dkittery
    Dkittery Posts: 82
    agree. :)
  • Disagree. But still heart you!
  • rorosaw
    rorosaw Posts: 360 Member
    Read this in the article. I always wondered about this: "“Your kidney does excrete toxins, but it doesn’t excrete more toxins if you drink more water. It excretes the same amount of toxins in a bigger amount of urine.”

    Interesting article. I'll continue to drink LOTS of water because physically, I feel better when I drink more water and it helps me feel full!
  • bonnienm
    bonnienm Posts: 329 Member
    Dr. and PA-C both recently told me at least 8 glasses (8 oz) a day to prevent dehydration and for healthy kidney function.
  • 12by311
    12by311 Posts: 1,716 Member
    Disagree like whoa.
  • Redness82
    Redness82 Posts: 134 Member
    Haha.. I'm don't necessarily agree with all of the points in the article... BUT i did have to giggle, because as I was reading it, I had my trusty water bottle by my side... and was drinking it... :)
  • Definitely no need to attack but it is also import to remember a couple of things.. one is that no one is every entirely shore of what the human body does and how it works.. so really anyone can argue any point but here is my 2 cents..

    Myth 1 - It is never healthy to drink an excessive amount of water but our body needs water (I think we all agree on that one) so I guess it would depend on the kind of toxins

    myth 2 - this one has some weight with me as I truely believe that we have our hunger/thirst cravings so out of wack that we don't have a clue what our bodies are asking for..There is a theory (that I agree with) that there are quite a few times that you think you are hungry but in fact you are thirsty so drinking water is a good place to start. Also there is a reality that 8 ounces of water will take up 8 ounces of space in your stomach until your body processes it.. so maybe if there is not as much space in your stomach you have less room for food.. again.. just a theory

    myth 3 - I don't agree with any blatant statment.. I think all of our bodies are different.. I never used to drink water (or much of anything) and was always fine (and in fact quite skinny..lol.. but now I drink about 8-10 16 ounce glasses a day because I am thirsty..

    so I guess my general point is who the heck knows.. we learn our bodies and use what works for us and not what works for everyone else.
  • Losingitin2011
    Losingitin2011 Posts: 572 Member
    Love it. Not everyone is the same, and therefore, saying everyone must drink x amount would be like saying everyone should eat x amount..... Owait..... >.>
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    I completely do agree. Every study I have seen has come to the same conclusion. There's just no evidence for those things. It doesn't even make your skin clearer.
  • lisy28
    lisy28 Posts: 156 Member
    Thats pretty interesting and it does make sense is a way!

    I have always chose water over other drinks i am one of those weird people who love water so this wont change my drinking habits... :)
  • SMJohnson27
    SMJohnson27 Posts: 146 Member
    I totally agree! I had read up on this a few months ago. AND, about 4 minutes ago, they said needing 8 glasses of water a day is a myth, on the TODAY SHOW!! You get plenty of water from everything you eat and drink throughout the day (yes, even juice and pop). If your pee is clear, you are fine.
  • Losing2Live69
    Losing2Live69 Posts: 743 Member
    I must say I don't agree. There is much more evidence that shows the benefits and necessity of water than the opposite. Also, the site you got your info from is "The Enquirer". I think we all know what they are famous for....not telling the truth or stretching the truth. Here are some sites that refute your information:

    http://www.weightlossforall.com/benefits-water-drinking.htm#b

    http://www.mangosteen-natural-remedies.com/benefits-of-drinking-water.html

    http://www.waterfiltersuppliesinc.com/benefits-of-drinking-water.html

    http://www.secrets-of-longevity-in-humans.com/benefits-of-drinking-water.html

    If you choose not to drink up...that is on you. Its your body, not mine. But...as far as my body, I will continue to do my 8 in 8!
  • hpsnickers1
    hpsnickers1 Posts: 2,783 Member
    I haven't read the article yet but I know I will agree with it. The more I drank the more I peed - like every 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. I feel no different and I don't get any thirstier cutting back on my water intake - I'm not dehydrated. And the water % on my scale - though I'm sure it isn't accurate - doesn't fluctuate anymore. It stays within 1% all the time.

    http://www.marksdailyapple.com/8-glasses-of-water-a-day/
  • Losingitin2011
    Losingitin2011 Posts: 572 Member
    I must say I don't agree. There is much more evidence that shows the benefits and necessity of water than the opposite. Also, the site you got your info from is "The Enquirer". I think we all know what they are famous for....not telling the truth or stretching the truth. Here are some sites that refute your information:

    http://www.weightlossforall.com/benefits-water-drinking.htm#b

    http://www.mangosteen-natural-remedies.com/benefits-of-drinking-water.html

    http://www.waterfiltersuppliesinc.com/benefits-of-drinking-water.html

    http://www.secrets-of-longevity-in-humans.com/benefits-of-drinking-water.html

    If you choose not to drink up...that is on you. Its your body, not mine. But...as far as my body, I will continue to do my 8 in 8!

    It's The Inquirer, not the Enquirer, I think it's a local newspaper or something.
  • ivorythorns
    ivorythorns Posts: 33
    The article is pretty alarmist in its overall message... But I agree with what the experts are saying in it: They sound as though they're saying water isn't a substitute for exercise and a good diet when it comes to weight loss... Just like anything else, I think it's important to research how drinking water impacts your personal health, diet, and body.
  • rorosaw
    rorosaw Posts: 360 Member
    I must say I don't agree. There is much more evidence that shows the benefits and necessity of water than the opposite. Also, the site you got your info from is "The Enquirer". I think we all know what they are famous for....not telling the truth or stretching the truth. Here are some sites that refute your information:

    http://www.weightlossforall.com/benefits-water-drinking.htm#b

    http://www.mangosteen-natural-remedies.com/benefits-of-drinking-water.html

    http://www.waterfiltersuppliesinc.com/benefits-of-drinking-water.html

    http://www.secrets-of-longevity-in-humans.com/benefits-of-drinking-water.html

    If you choose not to drink up...that is on you. Its your body, not mine. But...as far as my body, I will continue to do my 8 in 8!

    Haha. It's not the Enquirer, it's the Inquirer. The Philadelphia Inquirer is the major daily newspaper in Philadelphia. Just sayin'.
  • hpsnickers1
    hpsnickers1 Posts: 2,783 Member
    I've also recently heard a number of times now that downing water before you eat (and during) can dilute your digestive juices. Stomach acid has a specific pH for digesting food. I haven't researched that yet though.
  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
    Your water needs are pretty varied, IMO. I'll drink double the recommendation if I'm out in the sun moving around most of the day - Sweat -> Hydrate -> Sweat... you get the picture.

    On a pretty sedentary day, drinking less than 8 - 8 ounce glasses of water won't kill you. It's a baseline recommendation, not a rule of fact.
  • Since that article is from a questionable source, here is one from a very reputable source that says the same thing:
    http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=strange-but-true-drinking-too-much-water-can-kill

    I totally agree that all of those things are myths (FYI: I am a clinical chemist and got my PhD in muscle physiology -- I also have PCOS and hypopituitary and have struggled with my weight all my life, which is why I am on this site.)

    Myth #1: Drinking EXCESSIVE water will NOT rid the body of toxins. Not drinking enough water may lead to "toxin" accumulation, especially if you have decreased kidney function for any reason. However, if you have healthy kidneys and drink enough water to make your urine a pale yellow or clear color then your KIDNEYS will clear any "toxins" (the liver also participates in this process).

    Myth #2: Drinking lots of water will curb hunger and lead to weight loss only in that it takes up stomach space and makes you feel full AND if you have a history of over-eating, you may misinterpret thirst signals for hunger signals. Driking more water intially will help you to better differentiate these signals. But, after you have your signalling all straightened out, you can potentially decrease your water intake, thereby only drinking when you are actually THIRSTY -- what a concept!!!

    Myth #3: Not everyone needs 8 8oz glasses per day. Some need more, some need less. The only way to know how much you need is to be able to accurately recognize that you are thirsty. Therefore, 8x8 is a good rule of thumb to start out with if you aren't accustomed to drinking water. However, after a few weeks of this you should know when you are actually thirsty and may be able to cut back or drink-up depending. If you are drinking 8x8 and are in the bathroom every 30minutes with clear urine, you are drinking too much!

    Also, as the Scientific American article points out, drinking more water than you need can lead to hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and a alot of other physiological effects that primarily make you feel sluggish. If you advance beyond sluggish to having headaches, you are seriously over-hydrated and hypo-osmotic!!

    You DO need to drink water. However, you DON'T need to be constantly suckling throughout the day -- humans didn't evolve like that! Everything in moderation right?
  • AnnaPixie
    AnnaPixie Posts: 7,439 Member
    Actually, I tend to agree with these studies. I've been experimenting with this water dilemma for a while now. If I force myself to drink water the only difference I see/feel is that I'm in the bathroom more often!! It hasn't helped me lose weight. It doesnt fill me up or replace food if I'm hungry. And I'd say my skin is clear due to cold liver oil/coconut oils rather than any excess water I try and drink.

    I think we totally disregard the amount of liquids we get through food and drinks. I dont know why? It's been long established that food and drink counts as liquid consumption. I guess becasuse its not as easy to measure? But if we were able to measure those inputs then it may well be the mythical 8x8 number is reached quite naturally? But drinking 8 glasses on TOP of what we are already eating and drinking just means more bathroom time.

    If I listen to my body, I always reach for more water when I'm exercising, when I'm hot or during the night. All times when you would naturally dry out? I'm just listening to my body from now on......... :bigsmile:

    Actually, I fancy a glass of water :wink:
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