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Community => Science and Technology => Topic started by: Fpqxz on June 05, 2012, 11:09:02 pm

Title: 8 glasses of water per day? Not necessary.
Post by: Fpqxz on June 05, 2012, 11:09:02 pm: From MSNBC (http://todayhealth.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/05/12053524-let-go-of-the-water-bottle-youre-plenty-hydrated-people?lite):

Quote
It's not a bad idea to consume 64 ounces of fluid a day, but it's not a scientifically proven idea, either. It likely comes from a 1940s recommendation from the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council, which said that adults should ingest about 2.5 liters of water a day.

"But the often ignored second half of that statement pointed out that most of the water you need is in the foods you eat," explains Dr. Aaron Carroll, associate professor of Pediatrics and the associate director of Children's Health Services Research at Indiana University School.

***

"(B)ottled water and the entire health culture around drinking more water have been very lucrative," Vreeman explains. "Certainly, your body needs fluids and water is a healthy choice to meet those fluid needs, but many of us spend a lot of money, effort and guilt on forcing ourselves to drink more water than we really need."

So how much water should we be drinking? Whatever your body tells you it needs. Listen to your body, drink when it tells you to, and there's no need to drink more than that. (The idea that "when you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated" is another myth.)

The article discusses research done in Australia, the UK, and the USA. Apparently, you don't really need to drink that much unless you really like peeing a lot.
Title: Re: 8 glasses of water per day? Not necessary.
Post by: Yaezakura on June 06, 2012, 04:14:09 pm: ...this isn't common sense? I mean, the so-many-ounces thing was never more than a general guideline. And it can vary wildly depending on circumstances.

Someone in a mild temperature area needs less water than someone in an area that's blazing hot. You need more water on days where you do vigorous activity compared to days when you relax. You need more or less water based on your weight, current health, and a million other factors. There's no magic number for water consumption, aside from "drink when you're thirsty".

Hell, it can actually be dangerous to drink too much water. Water poisoning is no joke and can be lethal.
Title: Re: 8 glasses of water per day? Not necessary.
Post by: Cerim Treascair on June 06, 2012, 05:40:51 pm: My dad, being a phys ed teacher, a coach, and an athletic director, had this guideline: "Drink enough until you're running clear, or fairly close to it"

... I should know, I paid the price for drinking far too much soda in my college days. Had the kidney stone to prove it.
Title: Re: 8 glasses of water per day? Not necessary.
Post by: Søren on June 06, 2012, 06:42:33 pm: I usually drink a little too much anyway, I'm a little bit paranoid about dehydration headaches.

Those headaches are fucking evil....
Title: Re: 8 glasses of water per day? Not necessary.
Post by: Jebediah on June 06, 2012, 07:05:23 pm: I always drink at least 64oz of water a day. It makes my body feel better.
Title: Re: 8 glasses of water per day? Not necessary.
Post by: Smurfette Principle on June 06, 2012, 07:17:37 pm: I don't really drink water. I drink milk and occasionally juice. Skim milk is basically water anyway.
Title: Re: 8 glasses of water per day? Not necessary.
Post by: Old Viking on June 06, 2012, 07:26:33 pm: I haven't drunk eight glasses of water in the past 80 years. It's wretched stuff.
Title: Re: 8 glasses of water per day? Not necessary.
Post by: ThunderWulf on June 06, 2012, 07:46:26 pm: I drink a lot of water but because I find it refreshing. I also drink a lot of juice and tea and stuff though too.
Title: Re: 8 glasses of water per day? Not necessary.
Post by: Hades on June 06, 2012, 07:47:39 pm: I drink maybe 5 glasses a day, plus some coffee. I never liked the idea of forcing myself to drink a certain amount.
Title: Re: 8 glasses of water per day? Not necessary.
Post by: starseeker on June 06, 2012, 08:49:23 pm: I can usually get by on 2-4 glasses of water a day + whatever moisture's in food. I always found the idea of 8 glasses a day to be absurdly high.
Title: Re: 8 glasses of water per day? Not necessary.
Post by: Cerim Treascair on June 07, 2012, 02:27:02 am: Best way I do it is make myself some iced tea in a 2 liter bottle. 67.7 ounces, right there. Plus tea's good for you on top of that.
Title: Re: 8 glasses of water per day? Not necessary.
Post by: Vypernight on June 07, 2012, 05:06:26 am: Quote from: Deimos on June 06, 2012, 06:42:33 pm
I usually drink a little too much anyway, I'm a little bit paranoid about dehydration headaches.

Those headaches are fucking evil....

I know those all too well, I just thought it was from not eating enough. Recently I realized otherwise after my headache wouldn't go away for hours until I drank a bottle of water.

The worse part was admitting my boss was right about something (for once)!
Title: Re: 8 glasses of water per day? Not necessary.
Post by: armandtanzarian on June 07, 2012, 09:20:11 am: Quote from: Priestling on June 06, 2012, 05:40:51 pm
My dad, being a phys ed teacher, a coach, and an athletic director, had this guideline: "Drink enough until you're running clear, or fairly close to it"

... I should know, I paid the price for drinking far too much soda in my college days. Had the kidney stone to prove it.
That's the sugar, not the water.

The "running clear" part is a good rule too but if you spent the day eating fruits and porridge I think we can waive the 8 cups rule.
Title: Re: 8 glasses of water per day? Not necessary.
Post by: Cataclysm on June 08, 2012, 11:16:58 pm: A lot of the water you take doesn't come from drinking water, or even liquids.
Title: Re: 8 glasses of water per day? Not necessary.
Post by: Osama bin Bambi on June 17, 2012, 11:04:16 pm: Next time my mom tells me that my problems are my fault for not drinking more water, I'm throwing this in her face.