Lack of water

[Ferret]

It's just come to mind how little fluids I drink in a day, I might have a pint of milk in the morning with my cheerios, and a half-pint of juice, maybe two of those. But rarely any more. I've heard that you should have 8 glasses of water every day, but what size of glass? Do you have to? Whats the safe limit?

 

[Arnwyn]

I've heard it's actually the equivalent of 8 glasses of water a day. It can take many forms, such as soup, fruits, vegetables, other beverages, other foods, etc.

But then, I'm no dietician.

 

[Ferret]

Oh yeah, I knew that; but is that half pint glases? Or what?

 

[cuteasaurus]

The recommendation is 8 8oz glasses. And yes, that includes water gotten from all sources (soup, fruit, etc). However, it is just a general guideline and your particular needs depend on your size and exertion level.

 

[Eltern]

If you look around a bit, you'll find that the 8 glasses/day figure has no basis in science. In fact, dieticians are at a loss as to where and when this health myth originated. It depends on -your- body.

Me, I used to not drink that much, but over the past year I've gotten up to something like 7 actual glasses of just water each day, for some reason. I'm sure my kidneys appreciate it

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Do you have to?

No. You can easily go through life with mild deyhdration and essentially suffer the effects of having a small hangover everyday wheather you drink booze or not. Especially in England where you don't get as much heat as we do in the southern regions.

I live in Virginia (about on the same parallel as Rome). I try to keep hydrated. Sometimes I visit my wife's family in Texas (which is located directly next door to the Sun) and there I attempt to drink as much water as I can.

This is why Americans drink all that crummy beer; it's hot outside and we need the extra fluid. And I'll bet you thought it was really because we're so silly!

 

[kenobi65]

One of the possible results of not drinking enough water is kidney stones. I've had 3; they're not fun at all.

From everything I've ever read (and trust me, I've researched the subject, for reasons that should be obvious), drinking actual water (not water in other beverages) is the best way to get that water.

 

[der_kluge]

I think given that Ferret drinks no where near 8 glasses of water per day, and is still alive should be enough to dispel that myth.

As Eltern already said, your body is different from everyone elses. I don't know very many people that actually ingest that much water in a day.

Given that, what 98% of our body is water, it obviously comes from somewhere. Water does take many forms.

And don't anyone even *think* about suggesting that water is good because it cleanses your body of toxins unless you want a good beatdown.

 

[Ferret]

98%? I though it was 70ish.....

 

[der_kluge]

98%? I though it was 70ish.....

Damn, you're right. http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Nutrition/freer19.htm

Maybe I'm thinking of pure empty space. But then it shoots up to somewhere around 99.99999%.