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How Much Water Is Enough?

As a member of some weight loss online communities I read all the time people forcing themselfs to drink a lot of water. They say that a weight loss program without at least 2-3 liters (8-10 glasses) of water a day will have no effect. It couldn’t be more wrong!

Water helps you feel full if you are on a diet and you will no longer feel the need to eat that much, but a part of that, the excess water will do you no good.

The importance of water for your body

Water is your body’s principal chemical component, with 60 % of your weight. A proper level of body hydration is essential because water:

• flushes out wastes
• transports nutrients
• regulates body temperature
• maintains acid-alkaline balance
• support chemical processes
• keeps skin moist
• relief some headaches
• helps to regulate appetite.

The effects of dehydration

Every system in your body depends on water and the lack of water can lead to dehydration and malfunction to some organs. A high level of dehydration can:

• increase risk of developing urinary tract infections, kidney stones and constipation
• increase risk of bladder, breast and colon cancer
• an increase in fluid retention - the body tries to hold on to water for survival purposes
• some maladies can be caused or aggravated by chronic dehydration: heartburn, ulcers, fatigue, diabetes, depression, allergies, asthma, rheumatoid pain, back pain, heart pain, headaches, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and leg pain according to the physician F. Batmanghlidj.

Water intoxication

When it comes to drinking water, I believe moderation is the key, as in everything else related to diets and weight loss. Hyperhydration (also known as “water intoxication”) is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside of safe limits by a very rapid intake of water.

A normal person should not worry about accidentally overconsuming water, because the death related to water intoxication were from water drinking contests or long and intensive exercise during which electrolytes are not properly replenished.

Prevention of water intoxication

Water intoxication can be prevented if a person’s intake of water and electrolytes closely matches his or her losses. This means that if you are involved into heavy body activity, you need more water than regular, but in a normal day, you should listen to your body. Let the thirst be your guide of how much water you should drink.

How much water do you need?

The Mayo Clinic Women’s Health Source, say that you should aim for ½ oz. (14 grams) of water per pound of body weight. So, for example, if you weigh 143 lbs (65 kilograms), you should be drinking 72 oz. of water (2 liters).

However, the amount of water that you need daily to hydrate your body could also come from the food you eat. So, if you are eating a lot of fruits, vegetables or soups, your fluid intake may be adequate and you may not need to drink extra water.

If you feel dehydrated but you don’t like to drink plain water, take a look at the tips on how to Drink more water.

Related Posts

• Drink more water
• Which Is Better Water Or Sport Drinks?
• Body Wraps Recipes
• Fluid Retention

RSS Trackback URL 4. July 2007 (17:53)
Filed under: Nutrition

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