Water, water everywhere - but do we need it?

[lindrusso]

Sorry Bev http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif, but I just read this article in the Sunday paper and was curious if anyone else saw it?

It claims - based on talking to nutritionists and doctors - that we don't need the 8 glasses a day that has become one of the "commandments" for good health. They even say that most doctors/nutritionists they talked to have no idea where this number comes from.

They go one to say that kidney specialists feel that most of us need only 1 liter of fluid (equivalent to 4 8-ounce glasses) to replace water loss - for an average-sized person in a temperate climate. And that much of this fluid will come naturally from the foods we eat.

I also found it very interesting that one of the surveys promoting the idea that Americans don't drink enough water was a survey conducted by the International Bottled Water Association. Hmmm...

I have not been good at all the past few weeks about drinking water. When I was doing well, I had to force myself to drink 8 glasses. So, after reading this article, it makes me wonder that if we are to listen to our bodies to get clues as to what we need, then why would I need to *force* 8 glasses of water down the pipes when 4-6 seems more *comfortable*??

Anyway, I'm not ready to say who's right or wrong here, but I sure get tired of all these recommendations that seem like *musts* that eventually get tossed aside for more moderate recommendations. On the other hand, drinking all that water certainly isn't going to hurt anything and if it might do some good....

Anyway, what do you all think?

[emilycat]

If I'm not mistaken, 8 glasses of water is a ballpark figure for the average-sized American. The good rule of thumb (which I've read at several times -- from Runner's World once or twice, Shape and maybe WS&F) is to drink an ounce of fluid for each pound of half of your body weight -- so a 130 pound woman would need, in fact, about 8 glasses.

Common sensibly (ooh! new phrase), a 160 pound man is definitely going to need more water than a 120 pound woman. Going by that formula, I need about 6 8-ounce glasses of water each day...which is about right for me. I've found that I feel the best, the most energetic when I get this amount -- but too much more, and I feel icky-bloated and probably at risk for flushing out needed-nutrients from my system.
But Bev, I duly appreciate your water reminders--I'm very bad about getting even 6 glasses a day, and it's not a rare day that I have a dehydration headache. Keep 'em coming! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Em

Oh, gosh, I made a horribly embarrasing math error! I was thinking there were 16 ounces in a glass, silly me...what I meant to say was what Susie said. Oops. (I fixed it in my message already so no one else would see my blunder http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif )

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 12-18-2000).]

[MrsReber]

Okay, here's my personal opinion on water. I was told when I joined my gym that I should try to drink a gallon a day. Yes, that's right. I have to say that when I did drink that much, I felt good, I lost weight quickly, and my skin got very healthy looking. I have since cut back a bit since one glass of water now sends me running to the bathroom (baby pressure on the bladder, so I hear). However, I was reading recently that for pregnant women, 64 oz is plenty sufficient and any more can actually be bad for the baby. I can't remember the specifics right now. I seem to hover around 64 oz a day, though. I have gotten very used to it and will get thirsty if I don't. Oh, another good thing about drinking 64 oz of water is that it is very good for avoiding bladder infections.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by BevP:
However, if you'd rather, I won't post reminders. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Oh no, you go right ahead and post! I'm just playing devil's advocate.... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Although I may decide that 6 glasses is enough for me!

[Natasha]

Very interesting! I always enjoy reading about new health studies.

Although the calculations cited above would put me at about 6 glasses/day based on my weight, I seem to operate best on around 10-12 glasses (more when I ve had a day that s more active than my ordinary day). I guess it depends on each person s needs and comfort level...I m not going to change anything quite yet. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[SusieO]

I remember reading about water intake in CL, but I don't remember when (maybe last summer?). The general rule of thumb described there was as Emily described: divide your weight in half and drink that many ounces of fluid per day. That same article probably also discusses why it's important to drink, but memory again fails me (it goes so much sooner than one would expect).

[BevP]

Well, you knew I'd have to get in on this one. Right?!

Unfortunately I missed that article and would love to see it. Maybe I still have my Sunday paper and can look for it. Either way, here's my opinion, bearing in mind I have not seen the article:

How many studies have been done focused on water intake: how much and what it does or doesn't do for the body? OK, off the top of my head, I don't know but there are many. How many of those studies say you get enough or too much? Off the top of my head, not very many. What bad side effects will we have to err on the side of caution and drink up? umm, let me think...I can't think of any right now.

So, it's a personal decision just like the rest of a person's diet but I do know MY body works better if I'm hydrated. I'm defining hydrated as urine running clear. If I get dehydrated, I have a headache, I'm more tired, I tend to grab food instead of liquid. Personally, I'll stick to the water. However, if you'd rather, I won't post reminders. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[BevP]

I still haven't figured out how to copy from someone elses post http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif so---Lindrusso, I'll keep you reminded to drink your 6 glasses http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif. My first job was at Baskin Robbins. We let little kids and pregnant women use our bathroom and that was it. Little kids cause of small bladders and small control, pregnant women because of that extra weight on the bladder.

[This message has been edited by BevP (edited 12-19-2000).]

[BevP]

Originally posted by BevP:
[B]I still haven't figured out how to copy from someone elses post http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif [B]

Go figure, while editing the other one, I figured this one out. Duhhhhhhhh (slapping hand on forehead)

[lorilei]

Interesting that this came up on the boards. A friend of mine and I were just talking about this the other day. She must have read the same article, and was just plain RELIEVED to know that she didn't HAVE to drink so much water.

I happen to feel that (although your body might not need so much water for hydration) it certainly helps to flush toxins from your system and help your digestion along.

I do agree, however, that each body is bound to be different -- so we really need to listen to what our bodies are telling us. I once read that a human being should urinate at least once every 2-3 hours if he/she is drinking a sufficient amount of water. I've used that as a gauge in my own life -- and it seems to work fairly well http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by lorilei:
I once read that a human being should urinate at least once every 2-3 hours if he/she is drinking a sufficient amount of water. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Hmmm...maybe my body has it backwards. Seems like for me it's more like 2-3 times every hour! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif Okay, slight exaggeration....

[BevP]

Lindrusso, you positively crack me up! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif