Am I Drinking enough? What are the consequences if I'm not?

[ladybirder]

Before I get all the wisecracks I don't mean booze, unfortunately. I've just realized that all I've had today is a mug of tea at breakfast of which I drank threequarters and one at lunchtime of which I drank about a third. Tonight I've had two glasses of wine. Throughout the day I've eaten a few cherries and strawberries which are full of water and salad leaves, besides my meals. It is not unusual for me to only part drink 2 or 3 cups of tea a day and maybe a glass of water or orange squash. I don't drink alcohol every day. Am I causing myself any damage? Is anyone else doing the same?

[vallaw]

I am sure this craze for hydration is a modern myth - unless, of course, you are losing fluids through heat, humidity or strenuous activity and consequent perspiration.

[boxtops]

the recommended level is 1.5 - 2 litres of water a day, but the water can be in other drinks or in food. I get a headache (and constipated) if I don't drink enough fluid.

[rsvp]

do you feel well? are you constipated? are you obsessed with what 'they ' tell you - if all answers yes, no and no - what's the problem?

[askyourgran]

I'm told we should all drink at least 6 glasses of water a day, I don't think tea/coffee is included. I never reach that target, 1 full glass when I take my tablet in a morning and the rest is made up of tea/coffee. I do feel better when I drink more water but I never remember half the time. My friend is now in Intensive Care because she has become severely dehydrated, she wasn't aware of it but some tablets she was taking which contain sodium are the cause of it all. Her system is closing down.

[237SJ]

Assuming you go the the loo a few (or more) times in a day. When you pass urine, is it dark in colour? If it is, you`re dehydrated and if it`s not, you`re not. I (personally) think the 8 glasses of water a day regime is rubbish. Alcohol isn`t a good way to get fluid but tea isn`t too bad. Although it`s caffeinated, you will still retain more than you excrete. Your intake does sound a bit on the low side. My belief is that the human body is clever and if you are dehydrated it will tell you by your being thirsty. There is also a way of thinking that thirst is the last sign of dehydration and not the first. I think that`s rubbish as well. Although there is limited fluid in food, the best way to rehydrate is with water.

[ladybirder]

Didn't say there was a problem rsvp. Just asking.
Boxy and gran I would really struggle to get that amount of liquid down, I just don't feel thirsty but I believe this can happen to older people.

[rsvp]

apols ladybirder -there is obviouly not a problem -hence the post

[boxtops]

You don't have to feel thirsty though, ladybirder - if you are thirsty then you are already a bit dehydrated. I keep a bottle of water on my desk at work and try my best to drink it through the day. If it makes me wee a lot, then I know the body's working OK!

[askyourgran]

i do too ladybirder, I have it in mind that I should drink more water. But I never seem to find the moment to drink a glass of water whereas I'll drink tea and coffee, and I take tablets which makes me think my kidneys should be flushed with water. There have been occasions that my wee has been a bit dark so I then drink more water (just in case). You sound quite healthy from what you say.

[ladybirder]

Hmm interesting. My pee is not dark but, 237, my output seems to be more than my intake which is odd. Boxy and gran I think I am healthy but I get told quite often that I drink far below the recommended daily amount. In fact I'm sort of getting nagged about it. Oh well, I'll put the kettle on:-)

[rsvp]

ladybider one takes in a lot of moisture from fruit, veggie, tea, coffee juices -- if you don't have a problem why are you worried?

[DTCwordfan]

there are those folk who go for recycling their pee........

[ladybirder]

Are you one of them DT?

[DTCwordfan]

You must be joking, LB - though I do often quip that I dont drink water as fish fornicate in it....

Fresh pee is a good antisceptic though if you were way out in the woods/hills and needed to treat a wound......old mountain rescue "trick"

[Mamyalynne]

Don't just rely on the colour of urine in the loo bowl, that is highly diluted. Wee in a clear container and check the colour on any online chart. You are likely taking in more than you realise.

I don't believe in the guidelines either.

[rsvp]

course he is ladyB - he regurlarly pees on my bale