Title speaks for itself i reckon :p personally i just feel as though getting 2L of water in a day for me is becoming an obsession. Is it really necessary? Is it just enough to drink whenever we feel thirst? To listen to our bodies?
Lots of misinformation in this thread, unsurprisingly.
The amount of water you need is total water including water from food. Please do not overdrink - you can start excreting too many electrolytes. You need to keep a balance
The best way to know how much water you need is to look at your pee. Clear = too hydrated. Dark = not hydrated enough. Light yellow = optimal. If 2L is causing you clear pee, scale it back. It really depends on your size and your activity level
In medical school, they taught us that 2L was actually supposed to refer to total water intake, including water content from food, and furthermore, that the actual amount of water intake will vary greatly depending on activity levels, environment, etc.
The takeaway was that you should drink if you feel thirsty, no more no less
I remember watching a show on the BBC where doctors answered questions people had and this was asked. The doctor said you only need to drink water when you are thirsty.
Which makes sense considering that’s your body telling you you need water. It’s that simple.
Your climate, activity and diet all make a difference. In a warmer climate your needs go up. If you’re more active, enough to sweat and breathe hard, those water losses need to be replaced. And lastly, diet. Fizzy drinks and fruit juice can dehydrate you due to the high sugar content. If you eat meals that have a high water content, such as lots of vegetables in general, soups, stews, salads - you’re actually gaining water that way.
https://post.healthline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1841610-Urine-Colors-Explained.png
Also, substitute soda/sugary drinks for water. Just cuz u have ur daily fill doesn’t mean u can now chug a liter of Mountain Dew or grape juice.
I try to make sure I have a drink every hour. Doesn’t have to be a precise amount. Just some, regularly. Sometimes you will have some and want more, and other times you’ll have a few mouthfuls and that will do.
There’s actually no set standard. The amount that a person needs varies, and depends on a lot of factors, such as age, weight, activity level, and diet. The simplest way to tell is by observing urine color. It should be light yellow. If it’s dark yellow, you’re not drinking nearly enough. If it’s clear, you’re drinking too much, and need to dial it back. The foods you eat (particularly fruits and vegetables) also contain water, so don’t forget to factor those into your total water intake as well.
Take your weight in lbs, divide by 2, and that is roughly the amount of water you likely need. You can let thirst be your guide, drink until you are not thirsty, and drink enough to keep your urine pale (but not clear). You can do the pinch test on the back of your hand, if you pinch the skin and quickly goes back to normal, you are reasonably hydrated. If not, drink more.
I was told by a doctor that we can overload our system and flushing away good things from our bodies by drinking too much water. The best and most accurate indicator he said, is your pee. Too dark, drink more, too clear you’re probably topped off
Drink 1/2 of your body weight in ounces is the recommended amount. I’d adjust for heat, dryness, exercise intensity, diuretic etc. That also depends on what you’re eating. Some foods contain lots of water in them.
If you let your body tell you that you have to pee… so being thirty, it’s a bad thing, because it will take a bit from the moment you drink water, for it to go to the system.It’s like a car that runs out of fuel, the damage is done when the car stops, we shouldn’t let our car run out of gas. And just keep in mind that you should drink water not all at a time, keep it balanced, check your pee, if it ligh yellow than it’s perfect and keep it that way.
Have you tried adding electrolytes to your water? Water alone doesn’t hydrate you. Electrolytes do. Water follows electrolytes in the body (especially sodium) due to osmotic forces. Drinking too much plain water may dilute your already-existing electrolyte stores, causing dehydration (I know, it’s the opposite of most people think). My personal favourite hydrator is coconut water; I have found it to work much better than plain water for replenishing electrolytes, especially after exercise. It contains good amounts of potassium, sodium and manganese that water doesn’t. Bone broth and fruit / vegetable juices are also naturally rich in minerals, electrolytes, and trace elements. If you choose to drink only plain water for hydration purposes, adding electrolytes to it can make a big difference.
Drink to own satisfaction.
You also need electrolytes/minerals from food to ensure balance with your fluids. Especially salt/sodium.
Theres not set amount required.
I’d suggest sticking to drinking water for hydration. Any other drink is often less effective.
Best to drink more adrenal friendly liquids. Drinking too much water makes your kidneys work double time adding to adrenal fatigue. Add a little juice and a pinch of salt to your water and it will be much easier on your kidneys. It’s like a natural gatorade
I live in Florida and work outside. I drink water and Gatorade all day and I always eat lunch. I know I still get dehydrated and my urine looks like yellow gatorade… not dark yellow. It is a neon yellow. Is this okay?
