The benefits of chugging H2O aremyriadandlegendary, but are they real?
It seems every week somebody is proposing a newgadgetorapptotrackhow muchwateryoudrink(and prod you to drink more).
(The exact number depends on body fat and other factors).
We are water-based creatures.
No doubt about that.
But that doesnt mean more is always better.
Clearly, its bad to run out of gas.
Losing a little bit can leave you with bad breath and dry skin.
But are you dehydrated right now?
We also get water from other drinks like soda and coffee,even if they have caffeine.
(While caffeine can act as adiuretic, your body adapts to that effect over time.)
Does water make you feel more full?
The research flip-flops on this question, with plenty of studies on both sides.
The latest,published in Obesity, falls on the yes side.
But does that mean that hydrating yourself extra will make your skin even more youthful and vigorous?
Brain Function
Does mild dehydration keep your brain from working at its best?
The answer is a definite yes, but.
That means the effects could be due to exercise or mild heat illness, rather than dehydration.
Giving water to thirsty test-takers had inconsistent results: sometimes their scores went up, sometimes down.
And, again, theres no evidence that if youre already hydrated, thatmorewater would improve anything.
If you are prone to kidney stones, you should absolutely be drinking more water.Lots more water.
First, the basics: you needmore water if youre exercisingthan if youre just sitting around.
But how much is enough, and how much is too much?
In fact,mild dehydration may help performancein some cases (and no, itdoesnt cause cramping).
Most of us would prefer to avoid dehydration just to be safe.
Thirst alone is not the best indicator of…the bodys fluid needs, they saidin a statement.
For everyday purposes, it doesnt hurt to drink a few extra glasses a day.
Illustration by Sam Woolley.
