water water this myth unveiled

1. Your assertion that 8 glasses a day is a "bottled" water company ruse to sell more is FALSE. I heard that LONG before bottled water was even really available. In fact, other than old Evian and local Arrowhead ads, I don't remember any recent advertising for bottled water, let alone for 8 glasses a day.

2. Most of our current drink portions are 16 oz or more, so its really 4 glasses per day.

3. People don't always drink when they are thirsty as you say. Not too long ago a Boy Scout died of dehydration on a hike even though he had plenty of water in his canteen.

4. Don't know if this is true, but I read that if your urine is light yellow like lemon-aide, you are consuming enough water based drinks. If its dark yellow/orange, you probably need to drink more.

5. You are correct that other drinks are hydrating, but sometimes their ingredients (e.g. caffeine) make them less so than water. Certainly alcohol is NOT hydrating.

6. What you say may be true, but just because it was on a TV program does not make it so.

7. The amount of water you need each day will vary with where you are (dry climate v damp) the weather (hot v cold) and the amount of your activity. Lots of activity on a hot day in a dry climate may demand MORE than the 8 glasses per day.

Here is an excellent MEDICAL source for this question: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283

Here is a good video on WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/video/sports-drinks

I prefer to keep hydrated. SO I'm going to go ahead and keep drinking my water ( since it is no fat, no calorie and no sugar) but YOU can go ahead and stop drinking it. Let me know how you feel ok?

.... I also can't believe that people are arguing over whether or not to drink water. I understand the debates over aspartame, or carbs but water really? To each their own of course, but the way I look at it : If you've found success doing things a certain way then keep on doing it. Personally, I LOVE water, especially during a work out. Other drinks don't fulfill my thirst sensation. Also, back when i worked at the board of health, one of our key messages to a healthy lifestyle was "don't drink your calories" .. maybe that's where my water addiction kicked in.

It may sound completely absurd but from personal experience and being hospitalized twice overnight I have been told that I was drinking too much water which had caused my potassium levels to fall and send my heart into irregular beats. I now have to ensure that I eat good potassium foods daily as well as I decreased my water intake to 8 to 10 glasses at that point I was closer to 18 to 20 glasses a day

yeah - I'm definitely in the drink when thirsty boat. I was told that too much water dilutes important nutrients in the body, and just the way I feel when i force myself to drink glass after glass of water just for the sake of it, tell me its wrong.

Everyone is different, :blushing:

Water dilutes nutrients?

I must say, I've seen a lot of BS on these boards, but I think that one is the cake topper.

No disrespect to you -- more to whomever told you that.

I think the whole point is that water is good. But anything done to the extreme can go from good to bad. Moderation is the key.

Your urine should be almost clear and have no odor. The necessary water per person may vary, but if your urine is yellow to gold and smells (when you haven't been eating asparagus, lol) you are dehydrated. I've always been told that if you are thirsty you've waited too long to drink.

Your urine should be almost clear and have no odor. The necessary water per person may vary, but if your urine is yellow to gold and smells (when you haven't been eating asparagus, lol) you are dehydrated. I've always been told that if you are thirsty you've waited too long to drink.

I've been told that as well. The body doesn't react to thirst as quick as we all believe. The start of dehydration is actually one of the first signs of being thirsty. (This came from more then one doctor I've worked with)