Water... How much is too much?

  • Here's what I have heard about water and as you will probably tell... it's definitely making me confused! Let me know what you guys are doing that works for you!!


    1- A person should drink 64 ounces of water a day
    2- A person should drink half of their body weight in ounces a day
    3- A person should drink at least 100oz of water a day
    4- A person should drink as much water as they can
    5- Drinking too much water takes away from the nutrition you get from eating


    Is there a little bit of truth to all of these?
  • I used to think it was 64oz of water but in my research I've found that it's (insert your individual number here)oz of FLUID. This can come from any beverage and food. I'm not discounting the importance of water because it's the best hydrator. As for the amount necessary, I like the rule....

    6 - Trust your thirst.
  • Well I have heard all of the above as well. I drink about a gallon of water a day and have been told that I may be drinking too much. I really can't drink much less becasue my body is use to this much water now and if I don't drink about the same amount every day I start to retain fluid. If you find out the right amount let us know!
    Deb
  • I drink about a gallon a day too, but I don't get the impression it is too much for me.

    Alot of water soothes the savage hunger beast for me, even if I do spend too much time in the bathroom...
  • Its hard for me to just trust my thirst (although I do agree with it) because I am almost never thirsty and if I could... would probably go all day without drinking anything. (I know.... not good!)

    I have been drinking about 80oz of water a day and that seems to work for me... I just don't want to be drinking too much!

    Thanks for your replies!
  • I read in Dana Carpentar's book about how she lost her weight on Low Carb plan that she drinks a cup of water everytime she makes a run to the restroom. Just keeping up with what her body is losing.
  • I drink 8 to 10 8-oz glasses a day. That seems to work best for me.

    It is possible to go overboard and die from drinking too much water (a girl here in Colorado did about a year ago) but it takes a lot -- couple of gallons or more.
  • Thats really sad that a girl ending up dying... sorry to hear about that.

    I remember once hearing a story about how a mom punished her son by making him drink water and she ended up making him drink so much that he died (from drowning, I assume...)

    I think I will just make it a goal to drink at least 64 ounces of water a day and if I drink more great! There's no way I will drink a couple gallons and it doesnt seem like anyone has said they feel they are losing nutritional value by drinking closer to 80 or 100oz of water daily.
  • This discussion just occurred on another thread -- here's a relevant link

    http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/8glasses.asp
  • It takes a couple of gallons within a VERY short period of time....I believe the girl in Colorado drank 2 gallons in under an hour...so i wouldn't worry about it unless you're into downing your water all at once.
  • I heard one time of a boy who was being initiated into his college frat house had to drink a big 5 gallon container of water and died. That would really be going overboard with it!