Overhyping hydration?
“Drink more water” is a sentiment that has casually become a cure-all. Have a headache? Maybe some acne? Digestive issues? Regardless of the health issue at hand, the general advice seems to always promote further hydration. Even if there is no particular ailment, many people have made it a goal to drink a large quantity of water every day. It’s an undeniable fact that maintaining a proper level of hydration is critical for living a healthy life. From basic waste elimination to lubricating joints, water is necessary for many bodily processes. Yet, we may be potentially overcomplicating and unnecessarily stressing over our water intake goals.
If you’ve seen people towing around gallon jugs and have felt a twinge of guilt that maybe you aren’t drinking enough but also cannot summon the motivation to chug all that fluid throughout the day — I have good news. You probably do not need to be drinking excessive amounts of water. According to the Mayo Clinic, men should consume about 15.5 cups (around a gallon) a day, while women should be aiming for around 11.5 cups. Luckily, these values include fluid from water, other beverages and food. Food usually makes up about 20% of the intake, but this value can be shifted higher by eating water-rich foods like spinach or watermelon. Additionally, drinks like juice, milk, tea, soda and coffee can all contribute to staying hydrated. Some of these may not be particularly healthy choices because of added sugar and caffeine, but they aren’t dehydrating to a noticeable extent. While priority should be given to quenching thirst with water, it is worth noting that other beverages can help you meet your fluid intake goals.
Despite the Mayo Clinic giving a specific benchmark for an appropriate amount of fluid intake, they also acknowledge that these goals may not be appropriate for everyone. Some individuals may need a larger quantity of fluid to maintain an optimal level of hydration, while this may be unnecessary for others. For most, drinking whenever feeling thirsty will most likely be a sufficient amount. Additionally, paying attention to the color of urine is a great indicator of hydration. The Cleveland Health Clinic states that anything from light straw to honey-colored urine is considered generally healthy. Completely clear urine is a sign that fluids may be overconsumed, this could lead to electrolyte imbalances if the problem is frequently encountered.
None of this information is meant to discourage anyone from pursuing their passion for guzzling water, but instead proposes that listening to bodily cues, like thirst, may be better than following random recommendations online. Everyone has unique health needs, so one piece of advice may not work for all.
By: Nicole Hardt