Too Much Water

[calico_cat]

A couple of years back when I went to Herbal Magic, I remember the consultant telling me not to drink too much water. They recommend that I people only drink 1.75 litres of water a day. Anymore than that is too much, and if I wanted to drink more to make Crystal Light or something else on that line.

My question is: can someone drink too much water in a day for weight loss?

BTW, Herbal Magic did nothing for me except empty my wallet on a weekly basis.

[zenor77]

I found this and I've quoted some of the article below.

http://chemistry.about.com/cs/5/f/blwaterintox.htm

"The kidneys of a healthy adult can process fifteen liters of water a day! You are unlikely to suffer from water intoxication, even if you drink a lot of water, as long as you drink over time as opposed to intaking an enormous volume at one time. As a general guideline, most adults need about three quarts of fluid each day. Much of that water comes from food, so 8-12 eight ounce glasses a day is a common recommended intake. You may need more water if the weather is very warm or very dry, if you are exercising, or if you are taking certain medications. The bottom line is this: it's possible to drink too much water, but unless you are running a marathon or an infant, water intoxication is a very uncommon condition."

[luvmyfam]

I don't know. I just recently read an article online about guidelines changing once again. There have been concerns about water "poisoning" particularly with marathon runners who overhydrate, and a woman dying when she consumed too much water for a water-drinking contest for a radio station. They're basically saying to drink if you're thirsty. I've read 6-8 and 8-10 8 oz. servings a day. I usually try to shoot for 8, but drink more if I'm thirsty. They recommend for athletes to use an electrolyte-replacing drink like Gatorade rather than plain water.

[kaplods]

Drinking Crystal Light (or milk, or water, or tea, or coffee, or soup for that matter) is going to be no different than drinking more water, so it's crazy advice.

My mother was hospitalized for water intoxication about a year ago. She wasn't drinking outrageous amounts of water, but her WW leader had told the group that coffee didn't count, so Mom was drinking her 8 glasses of water, plus 2 - 3 cups of milk, plus up to 5 cups of coffee. This is only about a gallon, but she was on a blood pressure medication that makes the kidneys more sensitive to large amounts of water. (It was either atenelol or lisinopril HCTZ. I don't remember which, but I remember it was one I take, and I'm on both of them).

Mom was in the hospital for over a week and she was on a liquid restricted diet. She was only allowed a quart of water a day, and that included not only drinking water, but the liquid in foods, drinking water and other beverages as well (whether they contained caffeine or not). After being used to drinking about a gallon of liquids a day, the water restriction was driving her mad. When we visited, she would beg for "a sip" of what we were drinking (Mom's not the kind of person to go against medical advice, but she was desperate).

The kidney specialist said that it is still rare, but it's happening alot more often. He blamed alot of the dieting advice like the water in food and caffeinated beverages not counting, and advice to drink 1/2 oz or more per lb of body weight, especially for the morbidly obese (I would be expected to drink almost a gallon and a half of water, which on my meds would probably send me to the hospital as well).

It's nothing to panic over, but if you're on blood pressure medications or other drugs that might affect the kidneys, you should talk to your doctor and use a little more discretion than a person not on medications. Also as a guideline, EVERY liquid counts. 2 quarts of water in addition to solid food is plenty, and while caffeine does act as a diuretic, it doesn't cause you to lose more liquid than you take it. And besides, if you drink caffeinated beverages regularly, the caffeine loses it's diuretic effects. So if you're not used to caffeine an 8 oz cup of strong coffee, if might be equivalent to drinking 7 oz of water.

[GatorgalstuckinGA]

It really is a rarity...does happen but not often. Like previously stated, if on medications..you definately need to check. On average i drink between 2-3 liters of water a day...and have not have problems.

[mandalinn82]

I drink 6-7 L a day, on average, and have had no intoxication problems. My losses are better when I do so. Of course, other than a daily americano or two, water is just about all I drink, so its not like I'm getting tons of extra fluids from diet soda/juice/tea/etc. I do eat lots of veggies, though, so thats additional fluid. My kidneys seem pretty happy!

[LBH]

I think as long as you pace it out, you'll probably be OK.

[Lifeguard]

Funny I drink 2L a day & I'm doing Herbal Magic. It's working pretty well for me but I definitely notice if I don't drink enough water I don't lose. & they've never said anything about limiting my water intake.