The current popular mantra is to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Depending on the size of the glass this is going to be at least 4 pints of water. Do we really need to drink this much. The answer is generally no.
Usually the two main reasons given for drinking lots of water are to eliminate toxins from the body, and to make the skin clearer. This was recently investigated by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania.
Many waste products and toxins are cleared from the body by the kidneys. The kidney processes blood and removes water and a range of compounds. Some of the water, ions, and most of the glucose and protein are returned to the blood by readsorption. The remaining water, metabolic waste, etc., forms into urine, which then collects in the bladder.
It would seem logical that if more water is consumed that there would be better clearance of metabolic waste and toxins. Except in the case of dehydration, this is not true. More water intake does not increase excretion of wastes. In fact, there is a rebound effect when a lot of fluid is consumed and processed by the kidneys. The kidneys actually seem to process less efficiently.
The second reason given for is hydrating skin. Unfortunately, unless you are very dehydrated the amount of water consumed is not going to make any noticeable difference. The body is about 60% water. If you weigh 150 lb, then you are about 90 lbs of water. Adding a few more pounds of water is not going to make difference to general distribution of water and your body will sense the increased volume and increase the volume of urine. So usually instead of plumping the skin, the excess water will end up being peed out.
So how much water should you drink? Obviously your needs vary with the local temperature and activity level. The best indicator of the level of hydration is the color of urine. If you are dehydrated urine will have a strong yellow color like apple juice. If your urine is a pale weak yellow color then you are adequately hydrated. If your urine is virtually colorless you are probably over hydrated.
So, stay hydrated but do not overdo it. Use the color of your urine as a guide to your hydration status.
Usually the two main reasons given for drinking lots of water are to eliminate toxins from the body, and to make the skin clearer. This was recently investigated by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania.
Many waste products and toxins are cleared from the body by the kidneys. The kidney processes blood and removes water and a range of compounds. Some of the water, ions, and most of the glucose and protein are returned to the blood by readsorption. The remaining water, metabolic waste, etc., forms into urine, which then collects in the bladder.
It would seem logical that if more water is consumed that there would be better clearance of metabolic waste and toxins. Except in the case of dehydration, this is not true. More water intake does not increase excretion of wastes. In fact, there is a rebound effect when a lot of fluid is consumed and processed by the kidneys. The kidneys actually seem to process less efficiently.
The second reason given for is hydrating skin. Unfortunately, unless you are very dehydrated the amount of water consumed is not going to make any noticeable difference. The body is about 60% water. If you weigh 150 lb, then you are about 90 lbs of water. Adding a few more pounds of water is not going to make difference to general distribution of water and your body will sense the increased volume and increase the volume of urine. So usually instead of plumping the skin, the excess water will end up being peed out.
So how much water should you drink? Obviously your needs vary with the local temperature and activity level. The best indicator of the level of hydration is the color of urine. If you are dehydrated urine will have a strong yellow color like apple juice. If your urine is a pale weak yellow color then you are adequately hydrated. If your urine is virtually colorless you are probably over hydrated.
So, stay hydrated but do not overdo it. Use the color of your urine as a guide to your hydration status.
Judith Airey PhD. is a biomedical researcher with a range of interests including health and aging. She has a blog http://www.lifeagingand.com/ and several health-related websites including a blood pressure information site http://www.infobloodpressure.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judith_Airey
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