Do You Drink Enough Water?
Do you drink enough water? How much is enough, anyway? I’ve been mulling over my own water habits recently, every since I happened to buy a book called Water: For Health, for Healing, for Life: You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty!, by a doctor who makes a vigorous case for drinking at least two quarts of water a day, or more if you are a large person.
He goes through a variety of his own experiences and those of others. It’s not the kind of book that is loaded with tons of references, but a few are woven into the text. By the time I had finished reading the book, I was not 100% convinced, but I had decided to experiment myself.It’s only been a couple of weeks, and I can’t say I have noticed anything except more peeing and possibly a little more energy. I will continue to evaluate.
I have found this arrangement works for me: I drink a quart of water in the morning before I have anything else to drink, and I start in on the second quart not long after lunch, not having any other beverages till it’s down the hatch. I finish by around 5 or 6.
Because I don’t much like the taste of room temperature water, at least not the filtered water we use here, I fill up two glass quart jars with water each evening and put them in the fridge.
I work at home, which makes this easier. On the days that I am out and about a lot, I drink less, due to the basic principle that what goes in must come out!
Coffee, green and black tea, and alcohol all produce the result of less water in the body than if you hadn’t had them. I haven’t stopped them but have cut back some.
I must admit I have never been sure that I really need to drink the water pure. Would it be okay to mix in, say, 10% fruit juice, a squirt of lemon, or a dash of herbal tea? A friend of mine who is big on drinking water said, “You wouldn’t wash your clothes in fruit juice!” when I asked her this. Good retort, but I don’t think I have a washing machine in my gut.
So I am still unclear on this, but for the experiment, I decided to go with pure water. I am finding that it’s pretty easy to get it all down, and getting easier as I get used to it. As it gets colder in the winter, I might try hot water.
And here’s the link to that book at Amazon:
I too am unconvinced that someone who does not feel thirsty, must drink more water “for optimal health”. It probably depends on how much you sweat.
.-= Jeff B.´s last blog ..Swine Flu Scare: Interview with Jane Burgermeister =-.
I also haven’t noticed a difference when I make sure to drink enough water, but I’ve been doing it for years because I know it’s healthy. Water is basically all I drink anymore, unless I go to a restaurant where I love a Coke with my meal. ;)
What I do is drink about 20oz of water before I leave for work in the morning, then when I get to work I fill up a 34oz bottle that I drink throughout the day and then drink two large cups at home after work.
Jeff, the idea that thirst defines our need for water is certainly the way most people think about it. I will continue my experiment but it seems to me that there are reasons this wouldn;t be true… it is so easy for us to override our body’s signals in many ways!
Readers, Jeff is blogging about the swine flu and seems to share my skepticism!
Thanks, Alex. I’ve noticed that it’s much easier to get all my water drunk as my habits become more establishes, and that is what you have done too.
Hey Zana.
I’ve been drinking enough or more than enough water lately and the benefits are great. I already have enough energy but this adds a great feeling to my activities. I look to maintain this habit regardless of changing circumstances or routines. I don’t really drink anything else except fruit juice once in a while.
.-= Armen Shirvanian´s last blog ..Outdoor Mountain Hiking Trail Adventure – Series Introduction =-.
When I’m really thirsty I enjoy a good cold glass of water. However, if I feel like I should be drinking more water, but not craving, I find it easier to drink room temperature. Whatever it takes to get my healthy dose of water :-)
.-= Mark Lewis´s last blog ..Mediterranean Tuna Salad =-.
I find that drinking water is a great. Although I struggle to figure just how much i need to drink.
Daily i try to drink 2-3 quarts of water. Sometimes even drink more. But as you have found the primary outcome of this seems to be going to the toilet more often. In the beginning the biggest effect was the weight i lost, (about 3 or 4 kg in a month with no diet change except drinking more water and only water).
The other thing even with drinking so much water is i still find myself feeling thirsty and sometimes even a little dehydrated. The biggest issue from feeling thirsty is that once you feel thirsty you are often already dehydrated a little. I just wish i knew more about this to be able to better provide the right combination to my body.
.-= Joel Brown´s last blog ..What is in a System =-.
Thanks, everyone. I find it interesting that everyone who has commented so far has happenend to be male. Hmmm… probably not significant as plenty of women drink a lot of water too. I am feeling more energetic lately and it could be the water. Could also be the greater amount of exercise I have been doing! Or both. Joel, I am convinced that we can learn to sense what we need but it can take a while to get there.