Do You Drink Enough Water?

The temperature is rising, and keeping hydrated is very important.  There is controversy (as always seems to be the case in nutrition) over how much water is enough.  The old adage is 8 cups (64 ounces) per day.  More recently, those recommendations were increased to 11 cups per day for women and 13 cups per day for men.



Of course, too much water (like anything else) can actually be a bad thing.  Drinking excessive water, or replacing fluid losses without replacing electrolytes, can lead to very low levels of sodium, potassium and chloride in the blood, which can lead to serious problems.  In most circumstances, water and food can keep that in balance.  However, if you exercise for more than an hour, or spend several hours outside in the heat (like I did on Saturday), you may need an electrolyte replacement drink.  We don't need them for "everyday drinking," but they do have a purpose!

A recent study that included both observational studies and a randomized clinical trial showed that people who drink more water also reduce their risk of kidney stones (ouch)!