[Quite-a-Handful]

I drink around 88.5 ounces of water a day, sometimes slightly more or less. I also have 2 cups of ff milk and usually 12 ounces of coffee each day. On a special occasion day when there is a lot of food around, I've been known to drink about 150 ounces of water throughout the day. How does this compare to others' water intake? Is it too much. I know water intoxication is a possibility, and I've heard that even if you're trying to lose weight you should stick to eight 8-ounce glasses a day. The problem comes, I think, when you flush so much sodium out of your system that there's nothing to keep the cells from absorbing water and explanded. That is dangerous, especially when brain and spinal cells are involved. But can 88 ounces a day bring you to that point, especially if you're not a major athlete who sweats out a lot of sodium on a regular basis?

[haleys]

Look at this: http://www.freetrainers.com/FT/jsp/CalculatorsH2O.jsp

I put in your weight of 257 and it said you should be drinking 180 ounces a day.

[3fcuser1058250]

I found this article http://chemistry.about.com/cs/5/f/blwaterintox.htm .... Hope this helps...

I like the last paragraph, it explains a lot...

Can You Drink Too Much Water?

You've probably heard that it's important to 'drink plenty of fluids' or simply 'drink lots of water'. There are excellent reasons for drinking water, but have you ever wondered if it's possible to drink too much water. Here's what you need to know:

Can You Really Drink Too Much Water?

In a word, yes. Drinking too much water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication and to a related problem resulting from the dilution of sodium in the body, hyponatremia. Water intoxication is most commonly seen in infants under six months of age and sometimes in athletes. A baby can get water intoxication as a result of drinking several bottles of water a day or from drinking infant formula that has been diluted too much. Athletes can also suffer from water intoxication. Athletes sweat heavily, losing both water and electrolytes. Water intoxication and hyponatremia result when a dehydrated person drinks too much water without the accompanying electrolytes.

What Happens During Water Intoxication?

When too much water enters the body's cells, the tissues swell with the excess fluid. Your cells maintain a specific concentration gradient, so excess water outside the cells (the serum) draws sodium from within the cells out into the serum in an attempt to re-establish the necessary concentration. As more water accumulates, the serum sodium concentration drops -- a condition known as hyponatremia. The other way cells try to regain the electrolyte balance is for water outside the cells to rush into the cells via osmosis. The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from higher to lower concentration is called osmosis. Although electrolytes are more concentrated inside the cells than outside, the water outside the cells is 'more concentrated' or 'less dilute' since it contains fewer electrolytes. Both electrolytes and water move across the cell membrane in an effort to balance concentration. Theoretically, cells could swell to the point of bursting.

From the cell's point of view, water intoxication produces the same effects as would result from drowning in fresh water. Electrolyte imbalance and tissue swelling can cause an irregular heartbeat, allow fluid to enter the lungs, and may cause fluttering eyelids. Swelling puts pressure on the brain and nerves, which can cause behaviors resembling alcohol intoxication. Swelling of brain tissues can cause seizures, coma and ultimately death unless water intake is restricted and a hypertonic saline (salt) solution is administered. If treatment is given before tissue swelling causes too much cellular damage, then a complete recovery can be expected within a few days.

It's Not How Much You Drink, It's How Fast You Drink It!

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.

[3fcuser1058250]

That's a nice site Haley -- I should be drinking 102 oz or 3 litres I better get crackin'....

[skinnyjeans]

I think it is only a problem for people who are likely to sweat a lot without any sodium intake while doing so (like when running a marathon). Even if you are working out a couple times of day and sweating a lot you are probably eating meals in between which will help restore your sodium levels. I don't think you have to worry. Also, I believe there are symptoms of this although I am not positive of what they are(dizziness, fever, and hallucinations I think).

They tell athletes to have a sports drink like Gatorade to solve the problem and restore sodium levels. I don't think you want the cals from a drink like that but if you are worried about it you could try SmartWater. It is plain water and has electrolytes like a sports drink without the sugar and cals.

[cablegirl]

great info guys, I was wondering that as well. I drink a ton of water, just enjoy it, sounds crazy I know, but I do. I normally drink a gallon or so, and by this wbsite I am right on track.

[carla49]

The easiest way to know if you're drinking too much water is to check the colour of your urine. It should be a pale yellow. If it's totally clear you may be drinking too much. If it's deep yellow, you're dehydrated or taking some supplement or med with an orange or red coating.

If you're not sweating out a lot of your electrolytes, and you don't drink all your water at once, you're probably fine no matter how much you drink. (water, that is.)

[Kelly_S]

Can you drink too much water?
by Lynn Grieger, R.D., C.D., C.D.E.

Yes, and there is even a technical term for it: water intoxication!

In healthy people, the amount of water we drink is controlled by our thirst mechanism, located in the brain. We consume water in the form of liquids (juice, milk, soda) and also in foods primarily fruits and vegetables). The only foods that DON'T contain water are commercially dehydrated foods. Healthy adults require approximately three quarts of fluid each day. About half of this comes from food, with the remainder from beverages, hence the advice to drink eight cups of liquid each day. If you exercise, are breastfeeding, are ill, or live in a hot climate,your fluid needs are higher than the three quarts each day. However, it is possible to drink too much water if you put your mind to it. We're talking A LOT OF WATER, more than is possible under normal circumstances. Often associated with other obsessive-compulsive behaviors, drinking large amounts of water can be hazardous. Too much water in our system causes the dilution of essential electrolytes in our blood stream, which has implications for control of heart beat. My recommendation is 8-12 cups of fluid, combined with additional fluid to support exercise or hot conditions.

If you're drinking more than this, consult your physician.

[MistySeptember]

Just a side note, sort of off topic...babies can also suffer from hyponatremia from being submerged while swimming. I used to teach swimming for the YMCA and the Red Cross. Many years ago you used to see alot of infant swim classes where babies where pushed under and they'd kick and paddle in a swimming motion. You could see videos of it on tv and such, discovery channels specials and the like. Neither program endorses this kind of submersion anymore. There were a few cases where babies died from the chemical imbalance caused by ingesting too much water. I don't know the exact numebr or exact cases. Since it's summer time I like to point this out to people, b/c many people see those videos of swimming babies and try it at home. Blowing in thier face will make a baby catch their breath but it doesn't help them hold it as an older person would under water. It's incredibley dangerous. Kids should never be sumerged until they do it of thier own free will.

Sorry this is off topic but Ilene's article reminded me of it.

[Lucyee]

Hi Everyone, I am 269lbs. and it is hard for me to drink more than 3 glasses a day, otherwise, I am constantly running to bathroom. Will I still lose. Thanks Lucy

[Quite-a-Handful]

I am CONSTATNLY in the bathroom! I just consider it part of my exercise for the day. I think that's the REAL reason that drinking water helps you lose weight -- all the extra exercise you get going to the toilet! LOL

[3fcuser1058250]

You will lose Lucy, but the weight loss will be much slower. Water cleanses your system, washes out the toxins and fat. Eventually you will stop going to the washroom so often, either that or you won't notice it as much anymore ...

[Lizzyg]

I'm in the bathroom too! And while I drink a lot of water through out the day, I know that I'm not drinking enough....lol I'd be in the bathroom all day!

The water intoxication, as people have already posted, is a problem if you drink all that at once. Its been in the news more, in the past few years, because of the college students who have been dying... they were pledging for a fraternity and instead of drinking alcohol, they were given a bunch of water to drink at one time.

~Liz

[Quite-a-Handful]

Originally Posted by Lizzyg

been in the news more, in the past few years, because of the college students who have been dying... they were pledging for a fraternity and instead of drinking alcohol, they were given a bunch of water to drink at one time.

~Liz

I think it got some media play a while back when the drug Ecstasy was at its height on the club scene because people were drinking tons of water when they took it. I don't remember if it makes you really thirsty or there was a general warning that you had to drink a lot of water to counteract some of it potential nastier side effects (like brain damage).

[Kelly_S]

Originally Posted by Ilene

You will lose Lucy, but the weight loss will be much slower. Water cleanses your system, washes out the toxins and fat. Eventually you will stop going to the washroom so often, either that or you won't notice it as much anymore ...

This is not necessarily true. Because you get water in many sources and new research has shown that you don't necessarily need to drink that much water:

Water, water, everywhere...even in your food!

JaneStarr posted 01-23-2001 10:45 AM I think that some of us are getting carried away with the "benefits" of consuming large quantities of water. I truly believe in moderation in all things -- water included.
--Jane


Water, Water, Everywhere, Even In Your Food from healthcentral.com The Dr. Dean Digest Daily Issue on January 19, 2001

I have never liked specific rules like "You must drink eight glasses of water per day to be healthy." Here is a study from Tufts University that backs me up.

A study of a small group of women, measured each drop they took in and each drop they eliminated, and found that the water, juice and decaffeinated beverages consumed averaged the recommended eight cups per day.

"But the real surprise was that women met almost 40 percent of their water needs with food alone. In fact, when their water intake from food, water and other beverages and metabolic reactions was added up, they exceeded their minimum recommendation by 50 percent."

Eating and drinking as they naturally would, they took in more fluid than they needed.

Foods contain a lot of water; some are more than half water. Vegetables are about 95 percent water, sirloin steak is 60 percent water, a slice of white bread is 37 percent water.

Dr. Wayne Campbell of Purdue University thinks people mistakenly think they have to drink eight cups of water each day. Because foods contribute to water balance too, most people are getting their eight cups of water without actually drinking eight cups of water.

You can get your fluids from food and from other beverages, but not alcohol. Alcohol doesn't count.

People who exercise heavily and sweat a lot, and anyone who is ill, especially with fever, vomiting or diarrhea should drink a lot. People older than 70 can be dehydrated without feeling thirsty, so they should drink a lot whether or not they feel a need.

Of course, if you want to chug down eight glasses a day, no harm done.

Source: January 2001. Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter.

Originally Posted by Ilene

Water cleanses your system, washes out the toxins and fat. Eventually you will stop going to the washroom so often, either that or you won't notice it as much anymore ...

And this is why water is important and why you need 8 8-ounce glasses or the equivalent of it:

Water! Why drink at least two quarts a day?

Because that's roughly how much water we lose normally through perspiration, waste removal and other functions. Add sultry weather or enough exercise to break a sweat and the amount of water needed to stay healthily hydrated - not to mention avoid fatigue, light-headedness, nausea, and even heat stroke - quickly climbs.

Additionally, water keeps your energy up, weight down, muscles strong, joints supple, digestive system smooth -- your whole system in physical balance.

Water:

1) regulates body temperature
2) makes up 83% of blood
3) removes waste
4) composes 75% of brain
5) helps carry nutrients and oxygen to cells
6) moistens oxygen for breathing
7) helps convert food to energy
8) protects and cushions vital organs
9) helps body absorb nutrients
10) accounts for 22% of bones
11) cushions joints
12) makes up 75% of muscles

It really depends on the person and their activity level as well as the weather. I find the more I drink the less I actually retain with my activity level and climate. Additionally because of diureteic effects of caffeine drinks you should have 1 8-ounce glass of water for each 8-ounce glass/cup of these you drink to minimize the effects.

On the other hand however, there is a thing as too much water. If you drink in excess of 8 liters without getting the proper other nutrients your body will actually start depleting itself of those nutrients.