13/06/2020
Evaporating 4 Common Myths About Water
Myth 1 - The recommendation to drink 8 cups of water per day is based on established research.
The origin of the recommendation to drink 8 cups of water per day is unknown, and there is little scientific evidence to support it. Water intake and need varies by individual and fluid intake doesn’t have to be exclusively from water.
In addition to water, other foods and beverages you ingest also contribute to your overall daily fluid intake. Some water is also created within your body through metabolism. In sedentary people, daily fluid intake from drinking water and other beverages is estimated to be around 70–80%, while foods are thought to account for about 20–30%.
More on how much water you should be drinking:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
Myth 2 - You can’t get too much good, clean water
In rare cases, drinking an extreme amount in a short time can be dangerous. It can cause the level of salt, or sodium, in your blood to drop too low. That's a condition called hyponatremia. It's very serious, and can be fatal. You may hear it called water intoxication. When sodium levels drop due to excess water consumption, fluids shifts from the outside to the inside of cells, causing them to swell. Excess fluid accumulation in the brain is called cerebral edema, which can affect the brain stem and cause central nervous system dysfunction.
Your kidneys can eliminate about 5.3-7.4 gallons (20-28 liters) of water a day, but they can't get rid of more than 27-33 ounces (0.8-1.0 liters) per hour.
Therefore, in order to avoid hyponatremia symptoms, you should not drink more than 27-33 ounces (0.8-1.0 liters) of water per hour, on average.
Myth 3 - Don’t drink water during a meal
Drinking a moderate amount of water during a meal or to take supplements will not dilute digestive juices or raise stomach pH enough to matter. If you were to drink a full liter of water all at once, it will raise the pH in the stomach slightly, but only temporarily. As soon as the stomach senses an increase in pH mechanisms are triggered to release more gastric acid. The bottom line is that drinking normal amounts of water with your supplements or meal won't negatively affect digestion.
Myth 4 - Ice cold water is bad for your health
This one is somewhat mixed. Avoiding cold water can be of benefit in some situations. Drinking cold water while you have a cold or flu, or a chronic condition that results in slower digestion, may not always be the best idea. But while some cultures regard drinking cold water as a significant health risk for everyone, there isn’t a lot of evidence to support that claim. There are plenty of benefits to drinking warm water, though.
The benefits of drinking cold water? They are the same benefits of drinking regular room-temperature water: it keeps you hydrated and full of energy.
Conclusion -
The bottom line is that it is important to get enough water to keep you hydrated, and it should be based on your individual activity level and thirst mechanisms. It’s fine to drink with your meal, and it generally doesn’t matter whether it is iced, room temperature, or hot.
