How much water is too much?

[Alone]

I weigh 170 pounds and don't do many activities that cause me to sweat (occasional gym visits, and body weight exercises all other times). Some calculator says I require 8 ounces (8 glasses) of water a day.

I drink at least 10x500ml bottles of water a day, plus other fluids. Is that too much?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

There's no real such thing as too much water unless you drown yourself or water down your electrolyte levels significantly. Some people say that your weight divided by 2 in ounces is how much you should drink. That's about 75 ounces for me and I'm pretty active. It gets me through the day.

 

[MotF Bane]

SC, you drink 75 ounces of water per day? :shocked:

 

[masteryoda34]

Originally posted by: Alone
8 ounces (8 glasses) of water a day.

Umm ... ??

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: MotF Bane
SC, you drink 75 ounces of water per day? :shocked:

Usually - sometimes more. I get a lot of moisture from my regular diet. I don't count milk in the water calculation and usually drink about 30-40oz of it a day. I don't get dehydration headaches anymore so it's all worth it. It keeps me good and healthy.

 

[Crono]

I'm 206 lbs and drink about 3,000 mL (101 ounces) a day, on average. 5,000 mL + other fluids (assuming they're not diuretic drinks like coffee or tea) seems a bit much for someone who isn't physically active every day. As long as you're not forcing yourself to drink that much water (i.e. you feel physically comfortable drinking that much) I don't see a problem. It's usually runners who are in danger of over hydration, from what I've read.

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: masteryoda34

Originally posted by: Alone
8 ounces (8 glasses) of water a day.

Umm ... ??

Probably means 8 ounces x 8 glasses = 64 ounces total

 

[Bateluer]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_intoxication

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyponatremia

 

[AdvancedRobotics]

i'll usually carry around my water bottle with me (20oz) and fill it up throughout the day, and bring it to the gym. i'd say i drink ~80oz/day, possibly a bit less on off days

 

[polarmystery]

A gallon of water a day and days when I work out a liter for every hour of exercise.

Anywhere from 128 to 200oz. I pee a lot

 

[alpha88]

Your body (kidneys) can handle about 20 liters a day, assuming you intake enough electrolytes.

However, that's generally way more than you need.

The 5 liters you drink is also way more than you most likely need, but it wont hurt you.

 

[KoolDrew]

To be honest, there's so many different factors involved it's almost impossible to say how much water is enough or too much. Factors such as climate, activity, size of the individual, the rest of your diet, etc. play a role. How much is actually needed and what will provide optimal performance would be completely different as well. The recommendation I was given back when I was younger was if my pee isn't clear, I'm not drinking enough water. To this day it remains as the best advice I've heard for water intake, since it actually takes into account individual needs rather then using some sort of generic estimate.

 

[KingGheedora]

When I drank one soda per day, plus a lot of gatorade, my pee was dark yellow. When I switched to drinking just water, and a coffee with 2 sugars in the morning my pee became clear yellow. I'm just sayin'.

 

[kotss]

I drink 64 oz a day. I drink 32 oz before lunch and then go running/swimming and then when I get back I eat lunch and finish the other 32. This does not take into account hydration from food sources. I feel adequate at all times. I go by the thirst factor.
If you feel thirsty then you need to drink water. I only feel thirsty right after the running.
During the summer times I will drink up to another 32 ounces. I really cannot down more than 96 oz in day. At more than 64 it becomes a chore.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: kotss
I drink 64 oz a day. I drink 32 oz before lunch and then go running/swimming and then when I get back I eat lunch and finish the other 32. This does not take into account hydration from food sources. I feel adequate at all times. I go by the thirst factor.
If you feel thirsty then you need to drink water. I only feel thirsty right after the running.
During the summer times I will drink up to another 32 ounces. I really cannot down more than 96 oz in day. At more than 64 it becomes a chore.

Technically, if you read the point of thirst, you're already in the beginning stages of dehydration so that's not necessarily a great thing to go off of.

 

[StageLeft]

It's a big myth that most people are chronically dehydrated and also a myth that you should drink until your urine is clear. I've even read from one of the best, if not the best running encylopedias that went into great detail on fluids and looked at studies and said that most runners, even, should drink "ad libidum", which means until you don't want any more. If an endurance runner doesn't need to force fluids, the layman or even mildly active person probably doesn't, either. Exess water, at least the amount you are having, is probably going to do nothing more than make you take more regular piss breaks.

Technically, if you read the point of thirst, you're already in the beginning stages of dehydration so that's not necessarily a great thing to go off of.

Isn't that like saying if you reach the point of hunger you're already in the beginning stages of starvation?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
It's a big myth that most people are chronically dehydrated and also a myth that you should drink until your urine is clear. I've even read from one of the best, if not the best running encylopedias that went into great detail on fluids and looked at studies and said that most runners, even, should drink "ad libidum", which means until you don't want any more. If an endurance runner doesn't need to force fluids, the layman or even mildly active person probably doesn't, either. Exess water, at least the amount you are having, is probably going to do nothing more than make you take more regular piss breaks.

Technically, if you read the point of thirst, you're already in the beginning stages of dehydration so that's not necessarily a great thing to go off of.

Isn't that like saying if you reach the point of hunger you're already in the beginning stages of starvation?

You're comparing two completely different systems. You have hormones that control your hunger amounts. The main one is Ghrelin. This stimulates hunger, etc. If I'm not mistaken, it's a rather direct route compared to that of thirst. Usually, thirst is initiated by angiotensin. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to the thirst mechanism and regulation of fluid in the circulatory system. As you see, instead of just one hormone being involved, there are at least three. For the RAAS to complete a full signal, it actually has to pump the blood completely through the circulatory system. This is why, I believe, thirst is a poor indicator of hydration levels.

 

[darkdiablo]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: Skoorb
It's a big myth that most people are chronically dehydrated and also a myth that you should drink until your urine is clear. I've even read from one of the best, if not the best running encylopedias that went into great detail on fluids and looked at studies and said that most runners, even, should drink "ad libidum", which means until you don't want any more. If an endurance runner doesn't need to force fluids, the layman or even mildly active person probably doesn't, either. Exess water, at least the amount you are having, is probably going to do nothing more than make you take more regular piss breaks.

Technically, if you read the point of thirst, you're already in the beginning stages of dehydration so that's not necessarily a great thing to go off of.

Isn't that like saying if you reach the point of hunger you're already in the beginning stages of starvation?

You're comparing two completely different systems. You have hormones that control your hunger amounts. The main one is Ghrelin. This stimulates hunger, etc. If I'm not mistaken, it's a rather direct route compared to that of thirst. Usually, thirst is initiated by angiotensin. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to the thirst mechanism and regulation of fluid in the circulatory system. As you see, instead of just one hormone being involved, there are at least three. For the RAAS to complete a full signal, it actually has to pump the blood completely through the circulatory system. This is why, I believe, thirst is a poor indicator of hydration levels.

You in medical school or something? . I need to get more water into my body, I usually drink only when I'm thirsty, which means sometimes only like 2 or 3 glasses of water per day...

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: darkdiablo

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: Skoorb
It's a big myth that most people are chronically dehydrated and also a myth that you should drink until your urine is clear. I've even read from one of the best, if not the best running encylopedias that went into great detail on fluids and looked at studies and said that most runners, even, should drink "ad libidum", which means until you don't want any more. If an endurance runner doesn't need to force fluids, the layman or even mildly active person probably doesn't, either. Exess water, at least the amount you are having, is probably going to do nothing more than make you take more regular piss breaks.

Technically, if you read the point of thirst, you're already in the beginning stages of dehydration so that's not necessarily a great thing to go off of.

Isn't that like saying if you reach the point of hunger you're already in the beginning stages of starvation?

You're comparing two completely different systems. You have hormones that control your hunger amounts. The main one is Ghrelin. This stimulates hunger, etc. If I'm not mistaken, it's a rather direct route compared to that of thirst. Usually, thirst is initiated by angiotensin. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to the thirst mechanism and regulation of fluid in the circulatory system. As you see, instead of just one hormone being involved, there are at least three. For the RAAS to complete a full signal, it actually has to pump the blood completely through the circulatory system. This is why, I believe, thirst is a poor indicator of hydration levels.

You in medical school or something? . I need to get more water into my body, I usually drink only when I'm thirsty, which means sometimes only like 2 or 3 glasses of water per day...

Nah, man, I'm an Excercise Biology major at UC Davis. It's a subsect of the Neurology, Physiology, and Behavior program so I gotta know everything. I meet all the requirements for med school, but I'm not pulled toward medicine. I'm pulled toward exercise, results of, and fixing injuries. What can I say from all that experience? You need to drink more water. It really helps the body out.

 

[KoolDrew]

You're comparing two completely different systems. You have hormones that control your hunger amounts. The main one is Ghrelin. This stimulates hunger, etc. If I'm not mistaken, it's a rather direct route compared to that of thirst. Usually, thirst is initiated by angiotensin. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to the thirst mechanism and regulation of fluid in the circulatory system. As you see, instead of just one hormone being involved, there are at least three. For the RAAS to complete a full signal, it actually has to pump the blood completely through the circulatory system. This is why, I believe, thirst is a poor indicator of hydration levels.

I just ran across this which is quite interesting. Looks like their is work being done on an oral ghrelin antagonist. Since ghrelin plays such an important role in appetite and fat cell metabolism it would definitely be a nice thing while dieting.

 

[Nemesis13]

i work out every day and weigh 153 and drink close to a gallon of water thru out the day. i have never had any problems and have been doing this for a year and a half now. Only down side is using the restroom alot

 

[Alone]

I noticed a decrease in appetite after a week of drinking so much water. I assume this is normal?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: Alone
I noticed a decrease in appetite after a week of drinking so much water. I assume this is normal?

Not usually for me. I usually maintain the same relative hunger.

 

[kotss]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: kotss
I drink 64 oz a day. I drink 32 oz before lunch and then go running/swimming and then when I get back I eat lunch and finish the other 32. This does not take into account hydration from food sources. I feel adequate at all times. I go by the thirst factor.
If you feel thirsty then you need to drink water. I only feel thirsty right after the running.
During the summer times I will drink up to another 32 ounces. I really cannot down more than 96 oz in day. At more than 64 it becomes a chore.

Technically, if you read the point of thirst, you're already in the beginning stages of dehydration so that's not necessarily a great thing to go off of.

Perhaps my point was not clearly explained, my intention was to point out the only time I really feel I need to drink water is right after my runs (when I have lost water due to sweating). All other times I drink water because my body will require it not because I feel I need to drink it. That is why for me drinking more than 64 ounces can become a chore. At that level of water I feel like I am drinking water just to drink it, not because my body will need or is demanding it. I really do not concern myself with the color of my urine. I do not have any adverse effects to my body so I would only be concerned if it came out more than the light yellow it now does. This works for me.

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Technically, if you read the point of thirst, you're already in the beginning stages of dehydration so that's not necessarily a great thing to go off of.

Isn't that like saying if you reach the point of hunger you're already in the beginning stages of starvation?

Or that being healthy is just the slowest possible way of dying?