8 Glasses of Water Myth

245

Replies

  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    Thanks for this post. I am not really sure what I should be doing on this. I exercise every day and I play in an A level inline hockey league, so I regularly sweat my *kitten* off. But I don't think I drink nearly as much as (all the studies) say I should, I probably realistically drink 3 -5, 8oz. glasses of water per day and most of that is when I am working out.

    I never really feel thirsty and I am the type to listen to my body, so if my body is thirsty then I drink water - but it never comes near 8 glasses a day.

    Should I be forcing myself to drink this much?

    I would suggest, for regular daily activities, just keep doing what you're doing. However, when you're doing inline skating, try to drink a large bottle of water for every hour you're busting you butt, regardless of how thirsty you feel. If you go for more than an hour, make it a sports drink (like gatorade). Drink at least another half a bottle when you're finished playing, as your body is still sweating until you've cooled down.

    Just curious what *your* credentials are?

    I don't personally have any pieces of paper that I could show you, stating that I have an education in fitness and health, but if you'd like, I could list off all the resources that I've collected in the time I was mountain biking competitively. You'd have to wait until I got home.
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    I think trying to suggest a specified correct amount of water is ridiculous based on the complexity and metabolic differences of each individual body. A much better rule is to just watch your pee. Pale to clear and you're hydrated just fine. Dark, drink more. That simple.
  • pattyblair51
    pattyblair51 Posts: 12
    Every Dr I have ever went to said 8 glasses of water a day at a minimum and that is 8, 8oz glasses. One said drinik enough to keep your urine clear and that takes me a minimum of 8 glasses. We need to flush those toxins out of our body.
  • KittieLea
    KittieLea Posts: 1,156 Member
    I drink about a gallon of water each day. I lift weights and do cardio 5 days a week as well. I notice that if I slack on my water drinking, I feel sluggish and tired. I also go by my pee color. If it's a pale yellow-clear, I'm good. Any darker than that, I need to drink more. This method may not work for everyone but it works for me.
  • butterfli7o
    butterfli7o Posts: 1,319 Member
    I don't see a downside to drinking 8 cups of water a day, and it is certainly the healthiest thing to drink. So I will continue to do so.

    Edited to add: Also, I used to NEVER drink water. Mostly coffee and Diet Coke. I was getting horrible cramping in my feet. That doesn't hapen anymore. So personally, water is definitely beneficial to me.
  • spartangirl79
    spartangirl79 Posts: 277 Member
    Thanks for this post. I am not really sure what I should be doing on this. I exercise every day and I play in an A level inline hockey league, so I regularly sweat my *kitten* off. But I don't think I drink nearly as much as (all the studies) say I should, I probably realistically drink 3 -5, 8oz. glasses of water per day and most of that is when I am working out.

    I never really feel thirsty and I am the type to listen to my body, so if my body is thirsty then I drink water - but it never comes near 8 glasses a day.

    Should I be forcing myself to drink this much?

    I would suggest, for regular daily activities, just keep doing what you're doing. However, when you're doing inline skating, try to drink a large bottle of water for every hour you're busting you butt, regardless of how thirsty you feel. If you go for more than an hour, make it a sports drink (like gatorade). Drink at least another half a bottle when you're finished playing, as your body is still sweating until you've cooled down.

    Just curious what *your* credentials are?

    I don't personally have any pieces of paper that I could show you, stating that I have an education in fitness and health, but if you'd like, I could list off all the resources that I've collected in the time I was mountain biking competitively. You'd have to wait until I got home.

    I wouldn't think this would make you an expert in telling others that you've never met how to hydrate their bodies... and why you would bother suggesting that regular folks don't need to drink 64oz of water in a day. That minimal level of hydration is not going to harm average people and if those average people are attempting to exercise (especially in this heat), being dehydrated has more potential to be harmful.

    What's the point?
  • treblemaker90
    treblemaker90 Posts: 65 Member
    My chiropractor recommended that the number of ounces of water you need a day should be about half of your body weight (in pounds). So for example a 160lb person should get 80oz of water a day (approx. 10 cups).

    HOWEVER:

    1. that is just a starting point- some people need more, some need less depending on how active you are, are you in the heat, are you taking meds, drinking alcohol etc.

    and

    2. those ounces do not come from just drinking plain ol' water. There is water in the food you eat (especially fruits and veges) and in other drinks.
  • allsetnow
    allsetnow Posts: 13
    This is purely anecdotal, but I believe upping my water intake helped me break through a plateau and lose weight. I always thought the water thing was a myth and I hated it, so I didn't drink any (except for a couple of cups of tea a day). I had lost some weight (this was before I joined MFP) and then plateaued for a long time. I finally started drinking 64+ oz. of water a day and immediately started losing weight again, without changing my food intake or exercise routine. Maybe it was just coincidence, but it did turn me into a believer. I have gone on to lose a total of 35 pounds, and still drink lots and lots of water every day. I now find I crave it.
  • jesusHchris
    jesusHchris Posts: 1,405 Member
    I'm getting really tired of all the inaccuracies around this.

    I have a masters degree in hydrology with a minor in veterinary sciences and, as we all know, the human digestive tract is identical to that of 87% of domesticated animals.

    Our bodies' composition in regards to water ratio stays fairly consistent and mimics that of the Earth (this can change due to season and now has been a bit erratic with global warming). In the summer, it is important to drink more water the closer you live to the equator. In winter, obviously, you would do the opposite.

    Those looking to burn fat and gain lean muscle need to pay closer attention to their water intake. Anything less than 8 cups requires a 15% increase in carbohydrate consumption to store the fluid and make more efficient use of it. Between 8-12 cups will put you at the sweet spot for muscular hypertrophy, and anything over 12 cups is nearing the danger of death by downing.

    I really hope this ends all the petty arguments - ignorance isn't attractive, folks.

    (edited for spelling mistakes, witch also are not attractive)
  • Desika87
    Desika87 Posts: 111
    Gosh... Isn't it a question of "a bit intelligence"?? It depends on many factors like activity, metabolism, intake-outtake etc. And people should go away from the thought "I have to drink because I'll loose weigh better/faster"... Better is that you are aware of your kidneys and other organs/muscles... Most people don't drink enough but are in a still legitime frame - usually your organism alerts you as soon as he's dehydrated...
    This topic was over-discussed at medical school and there is a bold spectrum about "how much to drink per day"... People with a cardiac or renal insufficiency can have a maximum of 1L/24h - just as an ex. ...
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,238 Member
    I never understood why humans were the only animal who drank when they WEREN'T thirsty. I only drink when I am unless I am working out and sweating.
  • sun33082
    sun33082 Posts: 416 Member
    Just so you know you can drown yourself by drinking too much water.

    This would only happen if you failed to DRINK the water and tried to breathe it instead....
  • thebigcb
    thebigcb Posts: 2,210 Member
    its all about the pee colour. Clearer the better I reckon
  • Desika87
    Desika87 Posts: 111
    I'm getting really tired of all the inaccuracies around this.

    I have a masters degree in hydrology with a minor in veterinary sciences and, as we all know, the human digestive tract is identical to that of 87% of domesticated animals.

    Our bodies' composition in regards to water ratio stays fairly consistent and mimics that of the Earth (this can change due to season and now has been a bit erratic with global warming). In the summer, it is important to drink more water the closer you live to the equator. In summer, obviously, you would do the opposite.

    Those looking to burn fat and gain lean muscle need to pay closer attention to their water intake. Anything less than 8 cups requires a 15% increase in carbohydrate consumption to store the fluid and make more efficient use of it. Between 8-12 cups will put you at the sweet spot for muscular hypertrophy, and anything over 12 cups is nearing the danger of death by downing.

    I really hope this ends all the petty arguments - ignorance isn't attractive, folks.

    ^^ I don't wanna see some peoples Glomerular filtration rate here ...
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    Thanks for this post. I am not really sure what I should be doing on this. I exercise every day and I play in an A level inline hockey league, so I regularly sweat my *kitten* off. But I don't think I drink nearly as much as (all the studies) say I should, I probably realistically drink 3 -5, 8oz. glasses of water per day and most of that is when I am working out.

    I never really feel thirsty and I am the type to listen to my body, so if my body is thirsty then I drink water - but it never comes near 8 glasses a day.

    Should I be forcing myself to drink this much?

    I would suggest, for regular daily activities, just keep doing what you're doing. However, when you're doing inline skating, try to drink a large bottle of water for every hour you're busting you butt, regardless of how thirsty you feel. If you go for more than an hour, make it a sports drink (like gatorade). Drink at least another half a bottle when you're finished playing, as your body is still sweating until you've cooled down.

    Just curious what *your* credentials are?

    I don't personally have any pieces of paper that I could show you, stating that I have an education in fitness and health, but if you'd like, I could list off all the resources that I've collected in the time I was mountain biking competitively. You'd have to wait until I got home.

    I wouldn't think this would make you an expert in telling others that you've never met how to hydrate their bodies... and why you would bother suggesting that regular folks don't need to drink 64oz of water in a day. That minimal level of hydration is not going to harm average people and if those average people are attempting to exercise (especially in this heat), being dehydrated has more potential to be harmful.

    What's the point?

    I don't recall ever calling myself an expert. I was giving him the same general suggestion any coach, personal trainer, or nutritionist would. I've read and discussed with people (who do have an education in it) fluid intake and all that jazz to be able to repeat the exact thing they all say. If anyone doesn't like my advice, then don't take it.

    I'm clearly not a specialist in anything like this, and I'm sure he wasn't taking me so seriously. I just posted an article for some intelligent discussion. He asked a question, I gave my response. Isn't that what message boards are for?
  • Desika87
    Desika87 Posts: 111
    Just so you know you can drown yourself by drinking too much water.

    This would only happen if you failed to DRINK the water and tried to breathe it instead....

    You can drink yourself into a coma - (no alcohol - water)... It's called waterintoxication... you can intoxicate your body with almost everything...
  • Geminieve24
    Geminieve24 Posts: 364 Member
    Thanks for this post. I am not really sure what I should be doing on this. I exercise every day and I play in an A level inline hockey league, so I regularly sweat my *kitten* off. But I don't think I drink nearly as much as (all the studies) say I should, I probably realistically drink 3 -5, 8oz. glasses of water per day and most of that is when I am working out.

    I never really feel thirsty and I am the type to listen to my body, so if my body is thirsty then I drink water - but it never comes near 8 glasses a day.

    Should I be forcing myself to drink this much?

    I would suggest, for regular daily activities, just keep doing what you're doing. However, when you're doing inline skating, try to drink a large bottle of water for every hour you're busting you butt, regardless of how thirsty you feel. If you go for more than an hour, make it a sports drink (like gatorade). Drink at least another half a bottle when you're finished playing, as your body is still sweating until you've cooled down.

    Just curious what *your* credentials are?

    I don't personally have any pieces of paper that I could show you, stating that I have an education in fitness and health, but if you'd like, I could list off all the resources that I've collected in the time I was mountain biking competitively. You'd have to wait until I got home.

    I wouldn't think this would make you an expert in telling others that you've never met how to hydrate their bodies... and why you would bother suggesting that regular folks don't need to drink 64oz of water in a day. That minimal level of hydration is not going to harm average people and if those average people are attempting to exercise (especially in this heat), being dehydrated has more potential to be harmful.

    What's the point?

    Soo...are you an expert at claiming that he isn't an expert? :)
    Yet another person trying to start an argument. Let the man post and provide his sources. Let's have a healthy conversation; showing both sides to the topic. Not bash each other please. You have your sources, the OP has his, I have mine...WE SHARE!
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    Ok, clearly I need to state:

    Nowhere in any of these articles or discussion is it mentioned that you shouldn't drnink water, or drink a minimal amount! All it is saying that you don't need to drink 8, 8oz glasses! That doesn't mean "16 oz. should do you fine." It means "drink what you need to, to replenish what you have lost." For someone who sits in front of the TV during a winter day, that would be a lot less than someone who is running all day in the summer heat.

    If you're trying to lose weight, then you ought to be exercising. If you're exercising, you need more water. Simple. If you drink too much water, you'll need to pee more, and your urine will be clear. If you don't drink enough, your body will concentrate the urine, and it'll be dark. Day-to-day, it doesn't make a huge difference whether you drink too much or too little. If you drink too little over a longer period (a week or month), you'll start to notice (exercising not withstanding. If you workout, you need to drink something, period)
  • Desika87
    Desika87 Posts: 111
    Ok, clearly I need to state:

    Nowhere in any of these articles or discussion is it mentioned that you shouldn't drnink water, or drink a minimal amount! All it is saying that you don't need to drink 8, 8oz glasses! That doesn't mean "16 oz. should do you fine." It means "drink what you need to, to replenish what you have lost." For someone who sits in front of the TV during a winter day, that would be a lot less than someone who is running all day in the summer heat.

    If you're trying to lose weight, then you ought to be exercising. If you're exercising, you need more water. Simple. If you drink too much water, you'll need to pee more, and your urine will be clear. If you don't drink enough, your body will concentrate the urine, and it'll be dark. Day-to-day, it doesn't make a huge difference whether you drink too much or too little. If you drink too little over a longer period (a week or month), you'll start to notice (exercising not withstanding. If you workout, you need to drink something, period)

    Amen.
  • aimee_1410
    aimee_1410 Posts: 19
    I drink as much as i need. I can tell by my skin when im dehydrated, Also thirst will tell you lol
  • dinkydudette
    dinkydudette Posts: 71
    I'm sure it can damage your kidneys if you put them under unecessary strain.
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    I drink as much as i need. I can tell by my skin when im dehydrated, Also thirst will tell you lol

    This is exactly what the articles were trying to say.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    Just so you know you can drown yourself by drinking too much water.

    The condition is called "water intoxication" and is extremely rare under normal circumstances. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_intoxication
  • futuremalestripper
    futuremalestripper Posts: 467 Member
    Doesn't specify a quantity, but encourages ample amounts:
    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111024172654.htm
  • AsellusReborn
    AsellusReborn Posts: 1,112 Member
    For me it's not about wanting to hit a certain amount of water so much as avoiding drinking beverages with unnecessary calories in them. I used to drink a lot of milk and juice and while those aren't bad for you they're calorie heavy, water isn't. So, I drink a lot of water instead of other stuff.
  • historygirldd
    historygirldd Posts: 209 Member
    I personally drink at least 10 8oz cups a day and usually closer to 12 or 14 8oz cups a day. I feel better, my skin looks better and I have more energy.. But as someone once told me "If your urine is an amber color, drink more water and if it looks more like lemonade you are good to go."
  • Desika87
    Desika87 Posts: 111
    Just so you know you can drown yourself by drinking too much water.

    The condition is called "water intoxication" and is extremely rare under normal circumstances. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_intoxication

    Right... even though there are different ones of this intoxication... it's not only one factor (quantity)... but people should be aware of drink more because dehydration is a common issue here at the emergency room... I cannot remember a intoxicated person due to drink too much water (all intox. had other probs as well) - but I can remember plenty dehydrations :D
  • ArtemisMoon
    ArtemisMoon Posts: 144
    I used to only drink if I was thirsty and constantly showed symptoms of dehydration. Pretty sure I was chronically dehydrated but never drank more because I really disliked drinking and was baffled because I was drinking 'recommended' amounts and was very inactive. Finally decided to drink more, and when I did I actually got THIRSTIER and felt MORE dehydrated! That freaked me out. Finally upped it more to over 100 oz a day which was getting pretty close to the 1/2 body weight in oz rule of thumb and I finally balanced out. After drinking that much my body also flushed out and my weight stopped fluctuating so wildly when I would weigh the same time of day. I just find it best not to drink large amounts of it at once, but frequently throughout the day. So yes, drinking more has really helped me, and I think the eight glasses thing is just very outdated advice for a non-overweight world. I live in a hot climate and there is a lot more of me than a normal weight person, so it seems logical I should drink more.

    It was almost like before my thirst mechanism had just shut itself off or something and reawakened when I started drinking more. I am able to drink more much more easily now.
  • lisaslim1976
    lisaslim1976 Posts: 145
    OMG im in danger of drowning....just going to find my rubber ring :-)
  • MooMooooo
    MooMooooo Posts: 306 Member
    http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/8glasses.asp

    It's a MYTH people.

    If YOU believe YOU need more water - or must have 8 glasses (or cups) or think YOU need to drink instead of eat etc, that's fine.

    But never tell anyone they *should* have 8 glasses of water a day.

    If your Dr gives you this advice ask them what they are basing this advice on and set him/ her straight.

    It's been debunked for YEARS.

    Get with it.

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