How much water/fluids should an adult drink in a day?
23 May 2009, 09:16 AM
#1
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How much water/fluids should an adult drink in a day?
I have looked ad a few websites and they seem vague to say the least.
In a normal day, i drink around 2-3 litres of water, i have pretty much given up tea and coffee except for a coffee in the morning. Recently i have been waking up thirsty and drinking during water the night as well.
does this sound right of excessive?
In a normal day, i drink around 2-3 litres of water, i have pretty much given up tea and coffee except for a coffee in the morning. Recently i have been waking up thirsty and drinking during water the night as well.
does this sound right of excessive?
Last edited by The Zohan; 23 May 2009 at 06:06 PM. Reason: edited for those new viewers, changed amount from 4-5 litres a day
23 May 2009, 09:23 AM
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2 litres of water a day, thats the "recommended", squash tea coffee etc is not usually considered part of it.
You could be low on salt in your diet which will also cause dehydration.
I was having 8-9 litres a day when on my extremo diet with no ill effect, other than peeing for England.
Maybe pop to to the doc if it carries on. Or try getting some more sodium in your diet. Alternatively Boots etc do some good water additives to help with dehydration.
You could be low on salt in your diet which will also cause dehydration.
I was having 8-9 litres a day when on my extremo diet with no ill effect, other than peeing for England.
Maybe pop to to the doc if it carries on. Or try getting some more sodium in your diet. Alternatively Boots etc do some good water additives to help with dehydration.
23 May 2009, 09:26 AM
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I've had health problems in the past due to fluid balance and been told by doctors to drink enough to maintain pee at a pale straw colour. Any darker, you're not drinking enough, any lighter, you're drinking more than you actually need. It takes serious amounts to be harmful on the too much side but it's easy to go not enough.
As for what that volume is, so many environmental factors come into play (sweat, breathing, temperature, diet), it's practically impossible to say but 2-3 litres should be sufficient.
As for what that volume is, so many environmental factors come into play (sweat, breathing, temperature, diet), it's practically impossible to say but 2-3 litres should be sufficient.
23 May 2009, 09:36 AM
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Interesting read at Junkfood Science: Wellness water ? the 8x8 myth
As Snazy says, when you drink more you pee more! But I would talk to the doc about waking up thirsty in the night. That ain't normal. Unless you really wake up needing to pee and decide to drink at the same time?
The only times I've ever been thirsty are when I've been on a long (15 miles+) run on a hot day - you get to a certain point and start to think about nice, cold, ice-lollies and cold drinks. Really weird .... After nearly 5 decades on the planet you start to question certain things, such as the '2 litres of water per day' *fact*, because that's not the experience you've had over this time ....
Dave
As Snazy says, when you drink more you pee more! But I would talk to the doc about waking up thirsty in the night. That ain't normal. Unless you really wake up needing to pee and decide to drink at the same time?
The only times I've ever been thirsty are when I've been on a long (15 miles+) run on a hot day - you get to a certain point and start to think about nice, cold, ice-lollies and cold drinks. Really weird .... After nearly 5 decades on the planet you start to question certain things, such as the '2 litres of water per day' *fact*, because that's not the experience you've had over this time ....
Dave
23 May 2009, 09:39 AM
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23 May 2009, 09:39 AM
#6
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About 1.5 -2 ltrs a normal person,if your cycling or doing demanding sport in warm/hot weather i can consume 1 ltr an hour.If you can p1ss clear a minimum 4 times in a day then it's fine..weeeee weeeeeeeeeeee
23 May 2009, 09:52 AM
#7
Go on the colour of your p*ss; dark yellow; drink more, light/clear adequately hydrated.
Normally I wake up thirsty in the small hours If i've drank alcohol before going to bed. Stopped drinking alcohol, problem went away.
I usually drink about 1.5 to 2litres of fluids a day; Thats mostly tea. Bear in mind the body sources water from your food as well as what you drink; Otherwise our lower intestines wouldn't be of much use.
Normally I wake up thirsty in the small hours If i've drank alcohol before going to bed. Stopped drinking alcohol, problem went away.
I usually drink about 1.5 to 2litres of fluids a day; Thats mostly tea. Bear in mind the body sources water from your food as well as what you drink; Otherwise our lower intestines wouldn't be of much use.
Last edited by ALi-B; 23 May 2009 at 09:54 AM.
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23 May 2009, 10:08 AM
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They do say that you can do damage to yourself by drinking too much water. Tends to dilute something or other too much. Can't remember now.
Seems as though your body will tell you when you need water well enough, and Ali B's visual **** recommendations are accurate enough too.
Les
Seems as though your body will tell you when you need water well enough, and Ali B's visual **** recommendations are accurate enough too.
Les
23 May 2009, 11:49 AM
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The 2 litre figure was based on some scientific research done some time ago. However, it has been paraphrased over the years, the gist of it is 2 litres per day total from all sources including food. The pee colour test is the simplest way of judging if you're intake is sufficient. Another way to tell if you have become dehydrated is to pinch the skin on a thin area, such as the back of the hand. If it pings back straight away you aren't dehydrated, if it tents, you are, the longer it takes to return to normal, the more dehydrated you are. Often used by medical staff as a simple test.
Do we REALLY NEED To Drink 2 LITRES Of WATER A DAY??? - Fun Facts
Do we REALLY NEED To Drink 2 LITRES Of WATER A DAY??? - Fun Facts
Last edited by Removed.; 23 May 2009 at 11:51 AM. Reason: Added link
23 May 2009, 11:54 AM
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23 May 2009, 12:14 PM
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The research was done in the US in the late 40's, early 50's. As part of my Biology O Level we watched a copy of the film that was made as part of the study. It was carried out as part of a nutritional study by some US government body. Unfortunately my memory isn't quite good enough to remember the exact details.
I think it was also featured in the BBC series last year that debunked a lot of food myths, using real science.
23 May 2009, 12:31 PM
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Paul, you shouldn't be waking up in the night thirsty if you are drinking as much as you are already. Pop and see your Doctor for a quick blood test if it continues.
23 May 2009, 04:47 PM
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Paul, I think 4-5 litres sounds a bit excessive, and if you're waking up thirsty and drinking during the night as well........... It can be a symptom of diabetes or kidney problems.
As pointed out earlier, alcohol dehydrates, and garlic/spicy/salty food makes you thirsty. Too much fluid can dilute the electrolytes in your body. Personally, I think you need to see your GP for a check-up. Or you could pm John Barnes?
As pointed out earlier, alcohol dehydrates, and garlic/spicy/salty food makes you thirsty. Too much fluid can dilute the electrolytes in your body. Personally, I think you need to see your GP for a check-up. Or you could pm John Barnes?
23 May 2009, 05:41 PM
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23 May 2009, 06:05 PM
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Apologies, i meant 2-3 litres a day max baring in mind i do not drink anything else. I will go see the doc next week just to be sure. Pee colour (for those with an interest) is straw to clear in colour
Tam, your idea of a balanced diet is a pint in each hand
Last edited by The Zohan; 23 May 2009 at 06:07 PM.
23 May 2009, 06:33 PM
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Thanks for the replies, been out most of the day.
Apologies, i meant 2-3 litres a day max baring in mind i do not drink anything else. I will go see the doc next week just to be sure. Pee colour (for those with an interest) is straw to clear in colour
Tam, your idea of a balanced diet is a pint in each hand
Apologies, i meant 2-3 litres a day max baring in mind i do not drink anything else. I will go see the doc next week just to be sure. Pee colour (for those with an interest) is straw to clear in colour
Tam, your idea of a balanced diet is a pint in each hand
That sounds more reasonable Paul
Although as I said, alcohol intake could be making you thirsty during the night.
24 May 2009, 07:15 PM
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Funny the water thing - I do a lot of exercise and used to drink loads of water to make sure it was all okay. Recently I have been drinking much less with no adverse reaction at all.
I drink about 2 glasses a day and a bit more when cycling and running but that's about it.
All that happened when I drank loads is that I constantly needed the loo!
I drink about 2 glasses a day and a bit more when cycling and running but that's about it.
All that happened when I drank loads is that I constantly needed the loo!
24 May 2009, 08:14 PM
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25 May 2009, 12:23 AM
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Ali, sitting on your **** all day is an equally if not more important reason to drink plenty of fluids. The bladder still needs to be exercised regularly to prevent urinary tract infections and the such like. 'Old' urine hangs around in the bladder like you wouldn't believe and we don't come close to properly emptying our bladder after peeing anyway. Bladder management is important to 'wash' it whatever the circumstances.
Paul, you shouldn't be waking up in the night thirsty if you are drinking as much as you are already. Pop and see your Doctor for a quick blood test if it continues.
Paul, you shouldn't be waking up in the night thirsty if you are drinking as much as you are already. Pop and see your Doctor for a quick blood test if it continues.
25 May 2009, 01:21 PM
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My point was it isn't always as cut and dried as some people make out and there is often a middle ground totally overlooked by those who have no experience of such things.