Are 8 Glasses of Water Enough?
How long have we been hearing folks telling us that we should at least drink 8 glasses of water every day? Are 8 glasses enough or are they too much? Technically, there is no scientific study that points out evidence regarding the strict 8 glasses of water recommendation. Everybody knows it, but that doesn’t mean it is correct.
How to know when to drink?
Knowing when to drink is not rocket science. It’s fairly easy to identify actually. Experts, doctors, scientists, and the like simply recommend for people to drink when they feel thirsty. There is no specified time, instance, or situation where one is strictly advised to drink water.
In order to survive, the body maintains the essential water balance. Our bodies have a sophisticated system for knowing and controlling when and how much we should drink. Similar to when we feel hunger, we eat. You don’t need to fret over and compose a drinking schedule because the body is responsible enough to signal you when you need it.
Summary: Our bodies have a natural thirst mechanism, it knows when to drink. Trust your body.
How much should we drink?
According to Professor Carroll at Indiana University, a sure indicator of whether you are lacking fluids is to look at the color of your urine. When urine is a pale yellow to clear, you are hydrated enough and won’t be needing water in a while. However, if your discharge is yellow or darker, this indicates you need more fluids to replenish your body.
However, it is important to note that the color of urine can be influenced by factors such as taking supplements and medications. This can even be an indicator of an underlying condition. Data suggest that drinking water about two liters per day can actually reduce kidney stone formation and decrease bladder infections in people with a history of these conditions.
Hydration does not just come from water alone
Water is without a doubt important to keep our bodies hydrated, however, water is not the only element that can provide hydration. Believe it or not, drinking coffee, teas, and even alcohol can keep the body hydrated. After all, what the body needs are fluids that can provide electrolytes to the body. Therefore other beverages that contain water but not necessarily water itself is acceptable for consumption.
Fluids that the body needs do not just come from liquids. Even eating fruits and vegetables is beneficial because it contains vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are necessary for the body. Most fruits and vegetables are made up of 85 percent water, thus consuming them can be another way to get enough fluids.
Summary: Consuming other beverages, fruits, and vegetables, aid the body to stay hydrated.
Dehydration is bad, and so does Over Hydration
We as a society have been focusing too much on the fear of dehydration that some of us don’t even know the dangers that hydration pose. Studies show that too much water can lead to water intoxication or hyponatremia, a condition where the inside of the cells swells because of low sodium levels in the bloodstream that was caused by the diluting of electrolytes from the body.
Although kidneys are known to process plenty of fluids from the body, they do have limits. 20 to 28 liters of water can be removed by the kidneys in a day, however, removing 0.8 to 1 liter per hour is impossible. That being the case, it is important not to overdrink. Help your body as much as they help you.
Summary: Too little and too much of anything is bad for the body. Even water, in huge amounts, can cause serious problems.
Drinking moderately should not only be applied to beverages such as alcohol, but to water as well. Too much of everything is always not a good idea. At the end of the day, your water intake completely depends on how you are living your life. Trust your body and don’t believe everything just because many people know about it.
