How much water is enough?

Posted on Sep 11th 2006 8:00AM by Kristin Darguzas

Filed Under: Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products

Haven't we all heard the decree that we must drink eight glasses of water a day for optimal health? I know I spent years at my university desk guzzling water till I was bloated, hoping to flush toxins and maintain a healthy glow. Who knew if it worked, it was just one of those things that everyone knew. Right?

Well, new research says that we must be careful with the water consumption -- that overzealous H20 guzzling can result in serious health problems for some people -- especially people with heart conditions, high blood pressure, and edema. Snopes.com has a section on the 8-glass-a-day misconception.

That said, we all need adequate water: it prevents dehydration, promotes healing, and flushes out the body. This article has some fabulous tips on getting enough of the cool, refreshing beverage.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Jason E. Rist 9-11-2006 @ 9:36AM

I'm not sure if I follow your first sentence... "Haven't we all heard the decree that we must drink 8 hours of glasses a day for optimal health?" 8 hours of glasses? Do you mean 8 glasses of water a day?

I'm no doctor, but I know empirically that drinking water reduces the frequency of headaches -- imagine if more people drank water when they felt a headache coming on rather than popping a pill.

Jane 9-11-2006 @ 1:04PM

I have heard that you can drink too much water, people have been known to die from the condition.

Scott Bird 9-13-2006 @ 11:03AM

My own limited research (http://www.99shadesofgrey.com/fitness/2006/04/30/8_cups_per_day.php) suggests that the origins were based on research linking water consumption to caloric intake (if you eat more, drink more water), which seems to have been forgotten. This makes much more sense - to me at least.

Incidentally, where was the research (the 'new research' you mentioned) published?

Dr. Seuss 9-20-2006 @ 2:30PM

Anything in Life comes down to a few simple words; Moderation and Common Sense.

John Hulligan 9-20-2006 @ 6:42PM

Its no good!! no matter WHAT is suggested to improve Health & Life someone will ALWAYS find a Negative.Not enough Water? Too MUCH water??..the list is endless.. I often wonder just HOW the Human race managed to survive until the rise of all the so-called "experts"........and how may "Experts" actually carry out ALL their"informed" advice.

Terri 9-20-2006 @ 2:47PM

The worry about overconsumption of water has little to do with the normal every day person. If you are an athlete who trains at a maximum amount every day, then you want to switch up your H2O with other products that contain magnesium, potassium and sodium.

As far as the every day person, it is very difficult to become overhydrated. Becoming bloated is probably a sign of other issues. Water is a natural diuretic, so the more you drink, the more it carries out the toxins that cause you to be bloated in the first place.

Two great reads on the subject are Your Body's Many Cries for Water and You Are Not Sick, You Are Thirsty by Fereydoon Batamanghelidj, M.D. Check out. www.watercure.com.

Make sure you are drinking filtered (purified) water. One of the most common toxins we are ingesting is chlorine.

Drink up!

John Blakely 9-20-2006 @ 2:56PM

The requirement to drink 8 glasses of water a day doesn't take into effect the individual differences of people. As a personal trainer I read and believe that the best way to monitor hydration is by observing your urine color. If it is clear to light in color, your hydration is adequate. Darker colors require more water.

david 9-20-2006 @ 3:24PM

It's all about the individual.
Personally, I try to drink at least one quart a day, sometimes two or more, depending on conditions (heat, exertion, caffeine intake, etc.).
I find that if I don't I get spasms in my back and calves.
This may work for me and not someone else.
If you have heart or other problems then ask your doctor.

Jason 9-20-2006 @ 3:08PM

The proper rule of thumb since everyone has a different body mass is that you should drink 1/2 ounce of GOOD water per pound of body weight. Good water means not tap water full of Chlorine.

ioke 9-20-2006 @ 3:35PM

I live by the 8 a day rule that my doctor recommends. I complained of pressure in my head when standing, dark colored urine, and general fatigue. My doctor explained that lack of water causes all of those symptoms. I do take high blood pressure medication and was advised the water would help with that too. I now follow my drinking water regimn and feel fit as a fiddle. I also have glowing skin, which I get regular compliments on. ( I don't wear make-up iether.)

Martin 9-20-2006 @ 3:24PM

I think drinking too much water can have side effects we wouldn't normally think about. Apparently zinc is very water soluble and is easily leached out of the body from excessive sweating and consuming large amounts of liquid. As a vegetarian, my zinc intake is somewhat compromised. I was doing a lot of exercise, sweating alot and drinking alot. I assumed there could be no harm in consuming lots of water. However, earlier this year I started to experience male urinary symptoms that got progressively worse. It became increasingly difficult void. I didn't know what was going on. Ironically I tried to help increase the flow by drinking more and that only made it worse of course. Finally, out of desperation, I tried some herb tea made to alleviate prostate symptoms and experienced immediate relief. I now suspect I had a significant zinc deficiency which caused severe inflammation and swelling. I'm beginning to wonder if a lot of the prostate problems younger and middle aged men encounter is caused by a zinc deficiency exacerbated by drinking too much liquid?

mike 9-20-2006 @ 3:51PM

it is 100% impossible to die from drinking too much water

m. vitka 9-20-2006 @ 3:49PM

What the heck? I drink as much water as I want -- personally ingest the 'minimum' 8 x 8 oz. by the time I've been up for a few hours. Can't go to bed w/o water by my bed. Nothing medically wrong. Just love water. Bodies (at least mine) are 80% water. Why not listen to your body & stop waiting for a miracle? If my body longed for mud, I'd give it a try. There's no miracle Rx for anything. If something works, stick with it. Just listen to what your innermost cells are trying to tell you.

John 9-20-2006 @ 3:50PM

Water is a very important of numerous healthy beverages like Beer. Please do drink as much of your as possible of your favorite beer in order to comply with any current study, research, health tip or current fad. If there is room left in your bladder after drinking an adequate amount of beer to produce only the purest unrine color and tint, then please feel free to drink a glass or two of your choice of "good" or "bad" water you may so desire. Enjoy! Drink up..it's Football season!!!!

dale schirmer 9-20-2006 @ 5:52PM

I happen to know alot about the consumption of water.The fact that you urine is too bright or not the right color,so therefore your water intake is insufficient is ok,but if the individual is consuming large amounts of supplements then the rule doesn't apply.The basic rule is to take in one half your body weight in ounces.The type of water is very important.Your body type is 7.4 ph.There is alot of water on the market that's referred to as dead water.That's why when you drink the wrong water,in large quanities,you start to become very tired or drained.Your body needs an intake of water that matches or exceeds your bodys normal 7.4 PH level.

Stefine 9-20-2006 @ 3:58PM

I personally think it is a great idea to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. I personally drink quite a bit more just because I dont like soda or milk all to much. I prefer water. I can't go to bed with out water next to my bed, and by drinking plenty of water I have been able to drop almost 30 lbs. I used to drink tons of soda. By cutting tha tout and driking water i have been abole to maintain my healthy weight and it has also helped me control my blood glucose levels (I'm diabetic).

Tom 9-20-2006 @ 4:08PM

CHICO
Fraternity pledge died of water poisoning
Forced drinking can disastrously dilute blood's salt content
Meredith May, Chronicle Staff Writer

Friday, February 4, 2005

A Chico fraternity pledge died of water poisoning, authorities said Thursday as experts warned that the dangerous hazing ritual has killed at least one other person as fraternities are replacing alcohol bingeing with excessive water-drinking.

Matthew Carrington, 21, of Pleasant Hill had a heart attack and died during "Hell Week," authorities said, as he was in the final stage of a monthslong process to rush Chi Tau fraternity -- a rowdy house that had been expelled from California State University Chico in 2002 for repeated violence and alcohol violations.

jmann 9-20-2006 @ 4:15PM

No, it doesn't boil down to "common sense" or belief or other wishful non-sense. A human anatomy and physiology 101 explains it clearly. The human body recycles everything including water - the kidney cleans impurities from the blood but recycles the water. Water is lost during exercise through sweating which is how the body cools itself when working hard (heat of vaporization). We need to drink enough to keep the system "topped up" plus a bit extra to avoid dehydration as the person above mentioned. No magic. The body is an amazing self-regulating bio-machine. Treat it right and it'll last a life time!

gkmd 9-20-2006 @ 4:34PM

As a physician I find all of this 8 glasses of water per day quite comical. I have no idea who made this nonesense up, but it has no basis in fact. Most of what one eats is 70-80% water. Trust your thirst is the only rational rule of thumb. But if only you own stock in a water company, is more, better.

Allen 9-20-2006 @ 5:23PM

Being no physician or dietician and a regular slender 47 yo guy living in smoggy Los Angeles, my vita mixer & I get along just fine. Fruits & veggies are loaded with water + add extra benefits of vitamins and minerals all around. I say drink enough water & juice & be happy + ill free!
FYI: The Human Brain=98%water, Blood=94%water, Internal Cell Structure=98% & Body as a Whole=76%

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