4/22/05 Show 20/20 H2O myth

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I have been watching tonights 20/20 on food mythis. They just debuncted the fact that we need 8 8oz glasses of water a day. Their expert says you get most of the H2O you need from the food you eat and then your body will tell you when you need more by thirst.

Do you agree or disagree? Personally I disagree. I DO think our bodies need way more water than we normally get. In my nutrition class we were taught that by the time you feel thirst you are already mildly dehydrated. I agree I think thirst is a symptom of needing more water. I can agree with what the expert said about people being different and therefore need different amounts of water. However I do think 8x8 is a good rule of thumb. I try to drink roughly that much. What say you??

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Specializes in i.c.u., med surg.

Most definitely...I agree with you...We need some good ole pure water...not just soda or soup or whatever counted as water...it's just not the same.

I have been watching tonights 20/20 on food mythis. They just debuncted the fact that we need 8 8oz glasses of water a day. Their expert says you get most of the H2O you need from the food you eat and then your body will tell you when you need more by thirst.

Do you agree or disagree? Personally I disagree. I DO think our bodies need way more water than we normally get. In my nutrition class we were taught that by the time you feel thirst you are already mildly dehydrated. I agree I think thirst is a symptom of needing more water. I can agree with what the expert said about people being different and therefore need different amounts of water. However I do think 8x8 is a good rule of thumb. I try to drink roughly that much. What say you??

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

The so-called 'experts' may say one thing, but my kidney stones tell me something totally different. I swear, THIS time I'm going to drink a minimum of 2 liters a day........no more excuses! And I've got to get off the Diet Coke, I'm sure that's not doing me any good either, but it's such a part of my life that giving it up seems like a punishment :crying2: Maybe, if I only kept my consumption to 1 or 2 bottles a week instead of 1 or 2 bottles a day .......... :uhoh21:

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I have been watching tonights 20/20 on food mythis. They just debuncted the fact that we need 8 8oz glasses of water a day. Their expert says you get most of the H2O you need from the food you eat and then your body will tell you when you need more by thirst.

Do you agree or disagree? Personally I disagree. I DO think our bodies need way more water than we normally get. In my nutrition class we were taught that by the time you feel thirst you are already mildly dehydrated. I agree I think thirst is a symptom of needing more water. I can agree with what the expert said about people being different and therefore need different amounts of water. However I do think 8x8 is a good rule of thumb. I try to drink roughly that much. What say you??

We need 1.5 to 2 L per day, including all sources (free water & via food/drink).

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I agree with the 20/20 story. There has been much research regarding how "8 glasses a day" came about in the first place and was misinterpreted and much written about it. I've known it was a myth for a long time - we don't need 8 glasses of water necessarily - everyone is unique - you can't just make a standard apply to everyone. Also, the liquid in fruit, veggies and other food counts as "water" as does coffee, tea, soda, etc.

So, you can have 4 glasses of water, a cup of coffee, a glass of iced tea, a bowl of fruit, and some veggies and get your "8 glasses of water".

steph

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Specializes in CCRN, CNRN, Flight Nurse.
So, you can have 4 glasses of water, a cup of coffee, a glass of iced tea, a bowl of fruit, and some veggies and get your "8 glasses of water".

Why would I want to include a beverage as part of my 'daily allowance' when I'm just going to pee it out (plus probably more) because to its diuretic effect?? That doesn't do my body any good.

Who can answer this..... If 8-8oz glasses of water aren't necessary, then why do I feel so much better when I *do* drink this much?? If this much isn't needed, then why does it help people lose/keep weight off when they do keep their intake up? (I have my own theories in this matter.)

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Specializes in Geriatric, LTC, PC, home care, pediatric.

I know when I drink 8 glasses of water a day, all I do is pee. If I drink 6 I do okay. I totally stay away from Ice tea, my urologist said that it happens to help form certain types of kidney stones in woman. I have passed 8, along with lots of "grit" and don't want to do it again. I also cut back on my comsumption of hot tea also, just in case. All our bodies are individual in our needs. I think the 8/ day was just a way to get people to drink more water and less other junk. Have a great day all.. :beercuphe :cheers: :beer:

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I've heard that the 8 glasses of water a day is a myth. I also know a lot of us, especially the elderly don't drink enough water. As we age our thirst mechanisms decline, so having a number like "drink 8 glasses a day" is not a bad idea for people. People need a tangible number to make it easier for them. I also don't think people are eating enough fruits and vegetables, so we aren't necessarily getting a lot of water from our diet as this 20/20 person proposed. (I had lunch with a coworker yesterday and all she ate was chicken wings (no fruit, no veggies at all).

I think if people were drinking plenty of water there wouldn't be so many articles admonishing us to drink 8 glasses a day.

Drinking 8 glasses of water is very easy for me, I naturally drink much more without difficulty.

I read in a yoga magazine that those who start off with 32 oz. of water in the morning right after rising enjoy better health. But don't know the source of the study.

Also, they are finding many athletes overhydrating and suffering consequences of hyponatremia induced by water intoxication. Many marathon runners do this, and they'e had some deaths.

So as with any good thing in life, moderation.

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I know that I feel much better when I get my 8 glasses of water in a day. I guess I am used to it, I don't spend all day in the bathroom unless I go a day or two without drinking that much.

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Sheeesh...I'd be hardpressed to drink eight glasses of ANY type of fluids a day!

Don't drink soda hardly EVER.. just makes me hiccup. :rolleyes:

Drink an occasional ice tea, occasional glass of water, a few cups of coffee a day, an occasional glass of milk. I don't even drink with my meals.. I'm too busy EATING to fool with drinking. :p Might have a sip or two out of my glass after I'm done.

Truly, I can't say that I drink 32 ounces of anything in one day. I can't even finish a whole glass of anything.. it's usually just a quarter or half.. then I stick it back in the fridge. Never had stones, either.

Not saying I shouldn't drink more.. just can't seem to get it down, nor do I have the desire to.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I have long held it's a myth for healthy people who get a healthy, good diet, and dont' over do on salt, simple sugar, or protein.

I don't feel better myself when I drink that much, I just pee a lot. And feel bloated.

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hmmmmm....not sure about this one.

i think tweety has a valid point re: not eating enough fruit/vegetables.

and yes, of course i've heard about the water content of food.

but a few years ago, i purposely started drinking around 8 glasses daily and people told me my skin glowed....they didn't know i had been drinking water and yes, my skin did look better. were more toxins being excreted?

God knows i hadn't had sex w/anyone so we can r/o the post-intimacy glow.

in summary, need to agree with tweety (and my mom); everything in moderation.

leslie

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