"Drink At Least 8 Glasses Of Water A Day" -- Really?

Science Daily ^ | 8-9-2002

[Larry Lucido]

caffeinated drinks should indeed count toward the daily fluid intake

Thank God. I was getting tired of drinking 8 8-ounce glasses of water in addition to my 12 8-ounce cups of coffee.

[Rebel_Ace]

It was only a matter of time before the dangers of Dihydrogen Oxide were discovered. Clearly, we need more government oversite, and perhaps even laws declaring Dihydrogen Oxide a controlled substance.

[AppyPappy]

And he lists other disadvantages of a high water intake: (a) possible exposure to pollutants, especially if sustained over many years; (b) frequent urination, which can be both inconvenient and embarrassing; (c) expense, for those who satisfy the 8 x 8 requirements with bottled water; and (d) feelings of guilt for not achieving 8 x 8.

He should have mentioned accidental drowning if you fall into the cup. Sheesh...

[Genesis defender]

Gee, if coffee counts, then I don't need to drink water.

[Pistolshot]

in addition to my 12 8-ounce cups of coffee

Only 12? You're a light-weight.

Seriously, I drink about 4 liters of water each day. I have had kidney stones in the past, with pain I would not wish on anyone. Since I started the water regimen, no more stones. No matter what 'evidence' this 'professional' conjures up, I will stick with what has worked.

Oh, and by the way, I have a 12-cup Mr. Coffee........that's just for breakfast. I never met a urinal I couldn't pass. :)

[Fzob]

You could be on to something. Dihydrogen Oxide is likely the most dangerous chemical known to man. More people die per year from acute overexposure than any other chemical.

[WindMinstrel]

you only need 8 ounce glasses?? Damnation, I've been putting away 8 32-ounce glasses a day! Ah, well -- I may pee a lot, but I have a lot fewer headaches than before

[WindMinstrel]

What's worse, that dihydrogen oxide crap is a well-known gateway drug. Virtually 100% of all drug abusers used dihydrogen oxide before they got into harder substances. In fact, dihydrogen oxide makes up more than 70% of an addict's body weight!

[philosofy123]

Every individual has a different need for water. I for example do not perspire much, and do not feel like drinking water most of the time. I may have a couple of cups of coffee, a couple of fruits, and one beer or coke all day. Zero pure water? Or may be half a glass of water. I am very healthy.

[Joe Bonforte]

You should give people more info on this Dihydrogen Monoxide stuff. They can check here.

[S.O.S121.500]

Glub....I mean BUMP.

[KSCITYBOY]

Here is a health tip given by God: Drink a liquid when your thristy or hot (cold when your hot and hot when your cold), it's the "natural' way...Not rocket science here! I had a receptionist who worked for me that was always knocking down a bottle of "pure" water --- she was in the john every 45 minutes and missed a lot of incoming calls.

[chuknospam]

Actually, excessive hydration can kill you. In fact a number of athletes & military have died from over hydration. Your kidneys can't remove the water, you colon takes over, throws your electrolyes out of balance, you collapse and go into coma & die.

[realpatriot71]

I am SOOOOOO hooked on dihydrogen oxide, I have to have it all the time man! If I go off of it I'll die. We must stop the dihydrogen oxide craze before more become addicted like me!

[gilor]

It was only a matter of time before the dangers of Dihydrogen Oxide were discovered. Clearly, we need more government oversite, and perhaps even laws declaring Dihydrogen Oxide a controlled substance.

That's not far enough. Ban all water! after all it's for the children </sarcasim off>

[Investment Biker]

You know I am 49 years old. Prior to the 1980's doctors knew absolutely nothing about nutrition. They were simply treat the problem type guys and gals. During this time and just prior to it we got the message of the food pyramid and drinking all this water. They had little scientific support but we extolled to the masses as dogma. Soon it became the accepted belief of not just the medical community but also the general population. Drink water, don't eat fat, carbohydrates are good for you, yada, yada, yada. In this climate there were even groups formed like PETA (1980) because it is obvious that if eating these things are bad for you then we should not.

The medical community is set to take a big hit on their stupidity. Real people follow low carbohydrate diets with sucess. Real people don't drink that 8x8 and have no ill effects. So what good are the doctors and organizations that have been pushing these unscientific schemes? They are regulated back to treat the symptoms, pill pushers for the drug companies. It really is very sad.

[fporretto]

While I don't dispute the article's assertions, I have found one instance where the 8x8 idea is constructive: cushioning a weight-loss program.

One of the hardest things to cope with when on a diet is the feeling of emptiness. Water, being non-caloric, can assuage that discomfort at no cost. There is a limit, of course, and each of us has to find it for himself.

The other thing about water and dieting is that drinking water helps to prevent salt bloat. Since most of us have to reduce our consumption of sugars when dieting, we tend, sometimes unconsciously, to increase our consumption of salt and other flavor-enhancers. Extra salt will cause a lot of people's skin to become puffy, and many women's extremities to swell. The 8x8 practice can moderate this effect.

No practice is right for everyone, and this is nowhere more true than in dieting. But the use of water to help maintain a diet and ease its discomforts is something to keep in mind when you decide that you've toted that spare tire around long enough.

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit The Palace Of Reason: http://palaceofreason.com

[11th Earl of Mar]

Actually, excessive hydration can kill you. In fact a number of athletes & military have died from over hydration.

There was a story about this several weeks ago on FR.

But the amount of water was so excessive it was ridiculous.

It told the story of one young Army woman who died from over-hydration. But it was discovered that SHE DRANK THREE GALLONS OF WATER IN ONE HOUR to gain weight in order to fail her height/weight test.