How does drinking more water help you?

[Shadow Conception]

Sounds like a stupid question, but really, how does it help? Up until a couple of weeks ago, I'd only be drinking 2-3 glasses of water a day, not counting the milk and juice here and there. I'd only be drinking water after becoming thirsty, similar to how I only eat when I'm hungry. Now recently, I (me, not my thirst) have begun upping that to around 6-7 glasses.

I don't mean the obvious answers, such as how it hydrates your body and whatnot. Am I supposed to be noticing any differences besides my piss becoming clearer? Or does it do all the work behind the scenes and make everything nicer inside without any noticeable effects on the outside?

 

[Lola]

I am not sure the "technical" aspect, but to me, i feel it cleanses my body. I try to drink at least 8-10 large glasses per day and I feel much better when I do.

 

[Bateluer]

I drink probably between 2 and 3 liters per day during the winter months, double that in the summer. But, I'm a runner and I live in Phoenix, so running the summer can be rather brutal.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

First of all, your body is close to 70% water. The amount of water in the body controls the rate at which you expel waste, blood pressure, concentration of solutes, hydration of cells, etc. When you get dehydrated, your body has to slow things down a bit, concentrate chemical a bit more, and works less optimally. During exercise, water is used in perspiration as the body's primary cooling system. If you're not well hydrated, you'll induce dehydration and feel more lethargic, heavier, and more apt to tire easily. Drinking water right before a workout doesn't help either. Hydration is really determined in the cells by your hydration practices up to 12 hours before exercise. Drink water, it's not hard and it's good for you

 

[darkdiablo]

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
Sounds like a stupid question, but really, how does it help? Up until a couple of weeks ago, I'd only be drinking 2-3 glasses of water a day, not counting the milk and juice here and there. I'd only be drinking water after becoming thirsty, similar to how I only eat when I'm hungry. Now recently, I (me, not my thirst) have begun upping that to around 6-7 glasses.

I don't mean the obvious answers, such as how it hydrates your body and whatnot. Am I supposed to be noticing any differences besides my piss becoming clearer? Or does it do all the work behind the scenes and make everything nicer inside without any noticeable effects on the outside?

Yea, same thing here, i dont feel any different, I little difference.

 

[darkdiablo]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
First of all, your body is close to 70% water. The amount of water in the body controls the rate at which you expel waste, blood pressure, concentration of solutes, hydration of cells, etc. When you get dehydrated, your body has to slow things down a bit, concentrate chemical a bit more, and works less optimally. During exercise, water is used in perspiration as the body's primary cooling system. If you're not well hydrated, you'll induce dehydration and feel more lethargic, heavier, and more apt to tire easily. Drinking water right before a workout doesn't help either. Hydration is really determined in the cells by your hydration practices up to 12 hours before exercise. Drink water, it's not hard and it's good for you

Is tap water just as effective as pure or filtered?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: darkdiablo

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
First of all, your body is close to 70% water. The amount of water in the body controls the rate at which you expel waste, blood pressure, concentration of solutes, hydration of cells, etc. When you get dehydrated, your body has to slow things down a bit, concentrate chemical a bit more, and works less optimally. During exercise, water is used in perspiration as the body's primary cooling system. If you're not well hydrated, you'll induce dehydration and feel more lethargic, heavier, and more apt to tire easily. Drinking water right before a workout doesn't help either. Hydration is really determined in the cells by your hydration practices up to 12 hours before exercise. Drink water, it's not hard and it's good for you

Is tap water just as effective as pure or filtered?

Water is water. Water from the tap in the US is pretty darn good and I wouldn't worry about it. It just contains some ions and other things that filtered water potentially doesn't have. I drink from both without any qualms.

 

[dlx22]

i'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the more water you drink (and drink regularly) the less water your body has to store

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: dlx22
i'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the more water you drink (and drink regularly) the less water your body has to store

Your body will store the amount it needs. If you have too much and your blood pressure gets too high, it excretes it. If you have too little, it holds onto it. It's going for a form of homeostasis so I'm not sure what you say is correct.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
First of all, your body is close to 70% water. The amount of water in the body controls the rate at which you expel waste, blood pressure, concentration of solutes, hydration of cells, etc. When you get dehydrated, your body has to slow things down a bit, concentrate chemical a bit more, and works less optimally. During exercise, water is used in perspiration as the body's primary cooling system. If you're not well hydrated, you'll induce dehydration and feel more lethargic, heavier, and more apt to tire easily. Drinking water right before a workout doesn't help either. Hydration is really determined in the cells by your hydration practices up to 12 hours before exercise. Drink water, it's not hard and it's good for you

You forgot that water is essential to the production of ATP. Though losing enough water to hinder that would be hard (not drinking at all for several days), more water means easier flow of energy through your muscles and body.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: BeauJangles

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged
First of all, your body is close to 70% water. The amount of water in the body controls the rate at which you expel waste, blood pressure, concentration of solutes, hydration of cells, etc. When you get dehydrated, your body has to slow things down a bit, concentrate chemical a bit more, and works less optimally. During exercise, water is used in perspiration as the body's primary cooling system. If you're not well hydrated, you'll induce dehydration and feel more lethargic, heavier, and more apt to tire easily. Drinking water right before a workout doesn't help either. Hydration is really determined in the cells by your hydration practices up to 12 hours before exercise. Drink water, it's not hard and it's good for you

You forgot that water is essential to the production of ATP. Though losing enough water to hinder that would be hard (not drinking at all for several days), more water means easier flow of energy through your muscles and body.

Kinda meant that in the "Etc." Too many vital things to name about water's effects.