Water water everywhere...

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Ginger7658
Ginger7658 Posts: 37 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Just wondered how to manage 8 cups of water everyday, i already drink 3-4 cups of tea, if i was to try and drink 8 cups of water too, i'd be swimming in it.
So my question is does it have to be water, or is 8 cups of any 'liquid' ok???

Replies

  • CassidyScaglione
    CassidyScaglione Posts: 673 Member
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    Count tea as water, but keep in mind that if it is caffeinated, it will make you pee out more of what you drink. I go for six cups of water and assume I get the rest in all the tea/coffee/etc I drink.
  • CassidyScaglione
    CassidyScaglione Posts: 673 Member
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    Keeping in mind that 8 cups is a suggestion... If you really aren't thirsty, don't drink, and if you are thirsty after eight cups drink more.
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 17,959 Member
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    The old '8 cups' adage is flawed and didn't take into consideration the amount of water in the foods we consume etc. Better off doing the wee test - google "urine hydration chart". if you're wee is the right colour, you're fine.
  • LaceyBirds
    LaceyBirds Posts: 451 Member
    edited February 2016
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    Any liquid counts towards your water total. I really don't count other liquids for my water requirement, except for tea - I count that in my 64 additional ounces of fluid per day that I drink every day. I drink that much water not to lose weight, or to keep hunger at bay (which doesn't work for me), but because I just require lots of fluids to keep the plumbing happy, especially with the extra fiber I've added to my diet since joining MFP. :smile:
  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
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    Alatariel75 wrote: »
    The old '8 cups' adage is flawed and didn't take into consideration the amount of water in the foods we consume etc. Better off doing the wee test - google "urine hydration chart". if you're wee is the right colour, you're fine.

    ^^ This. She speaketh the truth.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
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    CassidyScaglione wrote: »
    Count tea as water, but keep in mind that if it is caffeinated, it will make you pee out more of what you drink. I go for six cups of water and assume I get the rest in all the tea/coffee/etc I drink.

    You actually have to consume a lot in order for the dieurtic effect to offset the liquid intake. If you have a couple of cups a day, you should be fine.
    Alatariel75 wrote: »
    The old '8 cups' adage is flawed and didn't take into consideration the amount of water in the foods we consume etc. Better off doing the wee test - google "urine hydration chart". if you're wee is the right colour, you're fine.

    This.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,344 Member
    edited February 2016
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    CassidyScaglione wrote: »
    Count tea as water, but keep in mind that if it is caffeinated, it will make you pee out more of what you drink. I go for six cups of water and assume I get the rest in all the tea/coffee/etc I drink.

    Nope.

    http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/12187618
    ...caffeine consumption stimulates a mild diuresis similar to water, but there is no evidence of a fluid-electrolyte imbalance that is detrimental to exercise performance or health. Investigations comparing caffeine (100-680 mg) to water or placebo seldom found a statistical difference in urine volume. In the 10 studies reviewed, consumption of a CB resulted in 0-84% retention of the initial volume ingested, whereas consumption of water resulted in 0-81% retention.

    Alatariel75 wrote:
    The old '8 cups' adage is flawed and didn't take into consideration the amount of water in the foods we consume etc. Better off doing the wee test - google "urine hydration chart". if you're wee is the right colour, you're fine.

    ^ This. 8 cups may be more than enough for some people, but it may also be woefully inadequate for others. For example, a sedentary office worker in a climate-controlled building will have different hydration needs than a construction worker outside on a hot, humid day. If your urine is a pale/straw color, you're adequately hydrated.
  • Ginger7658
    Ginger7658 Posts: 37 Member
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    Great answers thank you (I only drink decaf )
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,521 Member
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    Here is one of many articles debunking the 8-glass advice from a reasonably good source.

    http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/07/really-the-claim-drink-eight-glasses-of-water-a-day-to-protect-the-kidneys/

  • MelaniaTrump
    MelaniaTrump Posts: 2,694 Member
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    As long as your urine is not cloudy or brownish, you are A-ok.
    You should be able to see a pretend newspaper at the bottom of the toilet.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
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    I drink around 8 cups of tea with milk everyday, sometimes more, plus 2ish Litres of water. I have to pee every 30 minutes or so. Mines the perfect colour according to the wee chart.
  • Ginger7658
    Ginger7658 Posts: 37 Member
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    Thanks all useful replies
  • scottish_laura_13
    scottish_laura_13 Posts: 69 Member
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    why not use a water bottle with your daily intake other than tea to encourage you to drink it?
    I drink 6-8litres of water every day (pure water not flavoured or mixed with tea etc) so 8 cups is way too little for me!
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
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    Alatariel75 wrote: »
    The old '8 cups' adage is flawed and didn't take into consideration the amount of water in the foods we consume etc. Better off doing the wee test - google "urine hydration chart". if you're wee is the right colour, you're fine.

    this is about all you need regarding water.
  • ForeverSunshine09
    ForeverSunshine09 Posts: 966 Member
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    Everyone's needs for water are different. I am always thirsty always have been that way. I have kidney issues so I drink anywhere between 80-104 oz a day. Recommended by drs and my thirst. I don't drink anything else though anymore. Just plain water.

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