Is it water or liquid intake?

@allknowing (130088)
India
January 23, 2013 8:11pm CST
A lot is being said about the health benefits of drinking water. Some recommend, as many as 8 glasses a day. The question is what about the juices and other liquids we take. Our system needs to flush out poisons and therefore I feel liquids would help do that as well. What is your opinion? Also should one take those 8 glasses of water all at once or spread over taken in sips. What is your idea about taking water during meals Some take it before, some during and some after.It is said that water gives a glow to the skin doing away with the need to use cosmetics. Your input will clear some doubts.
5 people like this
23 responses
• United States
24 Jan 13
You should drink 8 glasses of water a day. If, you think about it. It's only four bottle waters a day. It helps keep you healthy in so many ways. As, we get older we should drink even more water.
3 people like this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
24 Jan 13
You have not specified if that water needs to be had at once or spread over the whole day. I also wanted to know if liquids do not matter at all.
1 person likes this
• India
24 Jan 13
How much water can you drink at a time? 10 glasses? 2 liter?
1 person likes this
@ZoeJoy (1392)
• United States
24 Jan 13
No, don't drink all the water, all at once. Just drink water throughout the day. I don't think it is necessary to drink 8 glasses a day but to drink before you get too thirsty. And only drink water when you are thirsty. Only water will quench your thirst.
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
24 Jan 13
It is normally recommended that one takes a minimum of eight glasses of water ; I do not recall mention of any fluid ; my guess is because even juice contains a bit of acid in it[it may be good and the water content may be high but there are other ingredients in it too].In fact, a doctor specified that a tablet should be taken only with water and not juice, buttermilk, coffee or tea because tablets get dissolved best in water.I do not take water during meals; inn fact I had posted a discussion about this too and got varied responses for that. I revisited it today and realised I had not posted comments for some responses there. THanks for the unintentional reminder.
1 person likes this
@Sreekala (34314)
• India
24 Jan 13
That 'hug' is a reward for your 'unintentional reminder'
2 people like this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
24 Jan 13
Are you sure you really meant to hug me and not mistakenly placed that emoticon there!? I too know about taking tablets with plain water but have you noticed that even if you don't drink water but only juices then also our kidneys work on them and impurities are flushed out. Ultimately we drink liquids to flush out poisons. So I am wondering why 8 glasses of water is recommended when we have so many other liquids such as tea, coffee, and stuff!
@allknowing (130088)
• India
24 Jan 13
You have not seen the topic I have posted about adding wrong emoticons and this is a sequel to that discussion!
1 person likes this
@Sreekala (34314)
• India
24 Jan 13
Before writing my reply let me gulp some water first. Like Hately said, I also forget about the water intake as harsh winter is going on here. Yes, juices can be counted but there is much difference with pure water and juice. Pure water is safe to drink but in case of juices there may be added sugar and in case of canned juices there may be preservatives too. The tea and coffee can’t count reason it will reduce the amount of water in the body.
1 person likes this
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
24 Jan 13
Juice must be had without sugar.[strictly speaking]; let us not keep speaking so strictly and then we add sugar or salt or both and let us enjoy! We only can live once.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
24 Jan 13
Despite knowing all about juices people drink them regularly. My point is whether that could be considered as liquid intake and water consumption accordingly reduced. I did not know that tea and coffee reduce the amount of water in the body. This is news to me.
1 person likes this
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
24 Jan 13
We have been taught that drinking 8 glasses a day is very beneficial in flushing away toxins. Juices can also be taken coz of the vitamins that they have but drinking too much can make you acidic. So, it is safer to really take water instead. Others taking a glass of water before meals are usually those who are on a certain diet wherein they try to feel full prior to really taking the meal so that they would eat less. 8 glasses in a day means you have to drink atleast those number of glasses of water all through out the day and not in one sitting. Or you'd feel bloated!
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
24 Jan 13
Looks like the 8 glass thing the whole world is talking about and yes I know people who drink that much water at one time and your problem with not having effect with 4 glasses of water needs a separate topic for discussion!
@allknowing (130088)
• India
24 Jan 13
Dinking water before a meal is a good idea for those who are conscious of their weight. I must tell this to those who fall in that category. You are right about juices and acidity. I am a candidate and do restrict my citric fruit consumption a lot. I too feel 8 glasses should be spread out but water therapists have other ideas which I do not approve of!
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
24 Jan 13
Do they require to drink 8 glasses straight? I remember myself drinking about 4 glasses straight when I had UTI. I wa supposed to have a urinalysis but even after 4 glasses of water, I didn't even piss a drop!
1 person likes this
• Dominican Republic
24 Jan 13
when you go for a wee drink a similar amount in return - then you will remember to drink the correct amount. also it depends on the climate .....in humid places you would need to drink more and suppliment with minerals in the drink
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
25 Jan 13
In our busy schedule it becomes difficult to follow this pattern specially when one does not feel thirsty. Also carrying water wherever one goes does not seem to be a convenient option. I wonder how many are serious about following this rule. How regular are you?
@allknowing (130088)
• India
5 Feb 13
The problem is remembering to drink as if one does not feel thirsty it becomes difficult to remember. Despite all the advice given her I am still not into drinking water!
• Dominican Republic
4 Feb 13
australians carry water everywhere as its gets quite hot there , so i would start at least carrying it in your car in case you breakdown somewhere - then you can either drink it or put it in your radiator lol
• India
24 Jan 13
Liquid intake that includes also water.
@allknowing (130088)
• India
24 Jan 13
How do you go about your liquid intake. Is there a fixed timing or you have it at random. May be in sips or do you drink water all at one shot?
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
24 Jan 13
That's the point Zoe. There are many who do not feel thirsty and thirst is not a parameter to judge one's need of liquid intake. So one needs to force down the liquid, it seems to me! What is your schedule?
@ZoeJoy (1392)
• United States
24 Jan 13
Tune in to your body. Your body will let you know when you are thirsty. Just drink water when you are thirsty. If you want to sip the water, you can sip the water. If you want to gulp the water, you can gulp the water. If you want to drink water from a straw, you can choice to do that if you like. However way that you want to drink water is OK.
2 people like this
@maximax8 (31055)
• United Kingdom
25 Jan 13
In hot weather I tend to drink a lot of water. I drink water between the high energy dancing that I do at a class twice a week. I drink pure fruit juice at each meal time. I like to have vegetable soup and that is a liquid. I believe tea, water, fruit juice and soups are healthy liquids to have. I think drinking 8 glasses of water a day is a good idea. It could be with sips or it could be with drinking one cup at a time quickly. People that wish to lose weight could drink a glass of water before their meal. It would lead to a full feeling so he or she wouldn't need to eat a huge meal.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
26 Jan 13
You seem to be doing it right and plenty of liquid goes down there! Your skin must be glowing!. Plenty of liquids does that. I like that thought about drinking water before a meal a nice way for those who want to lose weight as a full stomach will demand less food! Some users here say that caffeine does the opposite thing inasmuch as they act as diuretics about which I had no knowledge of. I never feel thirsty and therefore have a problem remembering to drink water
@clocks123 (1225)
• United States
24 Jan 13
yes, i think juices, milk, for example would constitute liquids in our diets along with water. i don't think caffeine is good as it makes us lose more liquids. i think these beverages even soda without caffeine would be good to take care of our liquids for the day.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
25 Jan 13
Yes other users are sayig it too that coffeine is not good as it makes us lose more liquids. And I did not know about it! Some liquids such as milk could be considered as a liquid that would help flush out. But water I suppose cannot be replaced. Off I go to drink more water!
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
24 Jan 13
Yes, some liquids will provide what you need the same as water, but some liquids will not. For instance anything with caffeine in it can actually have the opposite affect. Caffeine can actually cause a loss of water to the body so you can't count your morning coffee, or a glass of soda diet or regular in your 8 liquid count. Experts recommend that you drink at least 4 glasses of pure water a day along with other beverages such as milk, or juice. Water should be enjoyed throughout the day. Drinking to much at one time can be dangerous. I sip water throughout the day and will usually will have at least a cup or maybe two after a workout. Drinking a full glass of water before meal can help you to eat less. I hope this helps.
@allknowing (130088)
• India
25 Jan 13
I see so many here talking about coffee, tea acting as diuretics. This is the first time that I got to learn this! I also like the idea of sipping water throughout the day but I have not been doing it. They say it even keeps one's mouth fresh. I am going to do it from today!
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
25 Jan 13
I don't think i could take it all in one gulp lol but i do take it all through out the day.. mostly an glass of water per hour.. it is rejuvenating and keeps my urinary tract infection away.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
25 Jan 13
You are disciplined. I just cannot follow that rule as I do not get thirsty. But one should force it down as water is indispensable for maintaining good health. I am guilty on that count!
@ladynetz (968)
• Canada
24 Jan 13
I would not drink water during meals as water dillutes the gastric juices and the result is that the food does not get digested properly. You can have problems later with your stomach. Finish eating and then drink.This is my opinion.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
25 Jan 13
I too drink water much later. But I see so many drinking water and even soft drinks while they are eating. The recommendation that one should drink a lot of water somehow does not go well with so many as if one is expected to consume as many as 8 glasses I wonder how that can be managed! Do you keep to this schedule?
@HomeBase (1153)
• United States
24 Jan 13
Water is life. No water, no life. People take water for granted because it is always around, but it is the single most important thing that a human can consume. From conception to 9 months, a baby is floating in water and fluid. How does the mother know she is ready to give birth? When her water breaks. Drinking water can help with fatigue, it can help with bad skin, it helps so many things, but like I said, people take water for granted. Imagine the world if no one could get water for 10 days. It is very important to drink water. You don't have to drink 8 glasses all at one time, drink them throughout the day. Maybe drink two glasses in the morning, and then after that drink one glass every two hours. If you want your garden to grown nice and healthy, and produce good fruit and vegetables, you should pour water on the soil, not orange juice or tea or coffee.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
25 Jan 13
I almost imagined that you were at the mike making this announcement!You truly have been effective. I shall abide by what you have said Home.... Most drink water but not enough I guess
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
24 Jan 13
My dr. here told me to drink 6-8 glasses of water per day. So I try to. He says its a great idea.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
25 Jan 13
It is easy to order but difficult to execute! There are so many factors. If one does not feel thirsty -a kind of a reminder - how is one supposed to remind oneself. And with all the other liquids that one takes it is possible that the stomach could get bloated. But rules are rules and we need abide by them.
• China
25 Jan 13
Drinking water is quite important for health. As for me, i think more water intake could help to improve the skin. Normally i drink water from 7:00 in the morning, then 10:am, then 3:00pm,5:00pm,7:00pm, this is good for your body to take in the water and benefit for your body and skin. So you choose the right way for yourself.
@allknowing (130088)
• India
25 Jan 13
Wow! You seem to be a pretty disciplined individual. Rarely can one follow your regime. Good for you. Keep it up. I am sure you must be having a glowing skin as I am told that regular intake of water besides flushing out poisons from the system it works on the skin as well!
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
24 Jan 13
In my recent, flat on my back "flu" days...I watched a lot of T.V., and there was a Dr. on Dr. Oz whom attempted to debunk the theory of 8 glasses of water, and I was very interested as I am NOT a great fluid consumer. It TOTALLY depends on the acidity of your system, and some people may be on an equal playing field with just 4 glasses of water...and NOT to be drank all at once, as it changes, and sometimes NOT for the better, the pH balance! Tuesday, I had CT scans of my Vascular system, requiring a total of 2 litres of CLEAR fluid before, and 2 litres directly after! BOTH the Vascular Surgeon and the Radiologist informed me that it did NOT have to be water..it could be CLEAR fluids, preferably not anything diuretic like tea or coffee (and of course liquor)!
@allknowing (130088)
• India
24 Jan 13
Why did you have those scans. Explain, explain! I think I should drink water as I am highly acidic inasmuch as I can't even eat citrus fruits. I did not know tea and stuff were diuretics!
@allknowing (130088)
• India
26 Jan 13
In Jen's box below she has posted that link about excess water cosumption. Taking water in sips throughout the day seems most sensible. Hope you are in good hands about your PVD and I am sure you will get out with a spring in your step. My wishes are with you perga...
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Jan 13
hi allknowing my doctor told me drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day but also that juices also count too as well as soup for instance. So I always try to drink 8 glasses of water all day long. Its easier to do it tike that and I think it hydrates you much better too. In the winter I have a harder time remembering to drink all that water so I just make a bigger effort.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
24 Jan 13
I think that makes sense. One should also include juices, tea, coffee and milk. I am happy adding those as my liquid intake and go slow on water as I never feel thirsty.
@dlr297 (5409)
• United States
24 Jan 13
8 glasses of water a day is recommended. you should drink it through out the day. not all at once. Juices have a lot of sugar in them and that much is not good for you.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
24 Jan 13
Those who are low in sugar could safely go for juices as there are many blessed with that state! I am one of those. I agree with you water should be had throughout the day but we keep reading about water therapy that talks of drinking all that water at one sitting. I don't think I can do that!
@agent807 (751)
• United States
7 Feb 13
I drink a lot of water. 8 glasses for me won't do. if we're talking about an 8oz glass, I can drink 8 of those in minutes. I drink at least a gallon of water a day, sometimes 2. Lately, it has been two gallons. It's a lot, but I have to stay hydrated. I'm too busy, and have a big body that needs a lot more water. I just drink out of a jug, which in a week, piles up quickly around my house. I have no specific time to drink water, I just grab the jug and just start drinking, or chugging, I can't do small sips. Everywhere, I go, I travel with one in my backpack. I even have one of these next to my bed, which I managed to start off with a full jug, and wake up to an empty jug in the morning. I check to make sure it didn't spill, but I drink it through out the night. I usually buy the water from the grocery store to have for the week, which people do not believe I will drink that much water in a week. It's amazing to see people look at you with shock turning a gallon jug up in your face. The only other thing I drink like this is milk, because I always have milk cravings.
@agent807 (751)
• United States
8 Feb 13
I didn't always drink this much water. I think because I kept working and playing hard, and I was still growing (I got big as a result of playing football and taking up weightlifting), which kept me looking for something to drink. Eventually I worked my way up to drinking out of these jugs, which pile up quickly around here when you have them for recycling. I read that the amount of water that a person is supposed to drink is supposed to be whatever half of their bodyweight is, drink that in ounces (150 lbs=75 oz). When I did this calculation, I found out had to drink 175 ounces a day. That's probably why I can drink a gallon so fast. I have had jokes about me causing droughts, and water shortages. In the summer it does work to my advantage Us big boys need to stay fueled and hydrated, and if I am drinking that much water in a day without getting sick, I am not the person you would want to invite for dinner, lol.
@allknowing (130088)
• India
8 Feb 13
I had 3 guests who stayed with me for 5 days. I was all game for entertaining them but providing water was the main problem! We boil our own water and do not get bottled water from outside. Imagine having to provide water for so many who were water guzzlers but not as much as you. If I had got advance notice may be I would have been ready for their water consumption. Similarly do give me notice before you arrive I shall be ready with whatever quantity of water that you may need!
@allknowing (130088)
• India
8 Feb 13
Even I looked at you with shock! If your body demands it nothing like it. If you have been doing it all along and all is well with you, so be it, although too much water intake can also harm the body. In your case, because of your big body which you say you have that much water must be required. A big car needs a lot of water to cool it. Right?
@Metatronik (6199)
• Pasay, Philippines
24 Jan 13
Water is still recommended. Because the juices especially the powder are having its chemicals or preservatives already which is not healthy anymore. More so if you are drinking that more often then it can also cause a cancer like pancreatic.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
24 Jan 13
It is not about me. I don't drink artificial juices as I have fruits in my garden and so I get to have fresh fruit juices. I just wanted your opinion on how you go about getting your quota of water but this drinking 8 glasses is not an easy feat even if it is spread over the full day as there will be other liquids in one's daily consumption.
@ksktika (271)
• United States
24 Jan 13
hi allknowing, i would like to drink water before meals. that means i just need a small portion for my meals.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
24 Jan 13
Our system needs a lot of liquid intake. Where do you get it from? Liquor is not considered liquid!