Why drink one gallon of water a day?

[PermanentChange]

I've looked around the forum for this answer, but can't find it: why does everyone swear by drinking a gallon of water each day? The recommended daily amount is 64 oz. (8 glasses of 8 oz. each), but, wherever I turn, there's always someone on the forum discussing how they drank their gallon of water that day, OF COURSE, as if it would be assumed that such a thing was occuring. Can someone help me here and explain where this theory came from? Thanks!-----PC

[Shiv]

how much is that in litres?

[.Kiw.Da.Wabbit.]

Approximately 4 liters.


EDIT: More like 3.8.

[Shiv]

ye i drink around that much water
apparently wen ure body warms up the water inside it burns calories

[koreanFURY]

Besides flushing our your kidneys and entire digestive system, hydrating your body, and brain, thereby allowing your metabolism to function more effectively, and just making for a nicer skin tone and appearance, drinking more water causes you to release more water through excretion, thereby dropping "water retention".

[Worldwide]

The "gallon of water" is more of a general gauge than a specific amount. Some drink more, some drink less. The important thing is to keep your body well hydrated.

I just drink when I'm thirsty throughout the day. I've determined it to be about a gallon and a half on most days.

There is no "rule" about a gallon. Whatever works best for you.

[checkyourhead]

I've looked around the forum for this answer, but can't find it: why does everyone swear by drinking a gallon of water each day? The recommended daily amount is 64 oz. (8 glasses of 8 oz. each), but, wherever I turn, there's always someone on the forum discussing how they drank their gallon of water that day, OF COURSE, as if it would be assumed that such a thing was occuring. Can someone help me here and explain where this theory came from? Thanks!-----PC

You need more water when you eat more protein, and more when you exercise. Thus, most people on here need more than the average joe.

[JoPe]

Besides flushing our your kidneys and entire digestive system, hydrating your body, and brain, thereby allowing your metabolism to function more effectively, and just making for a nicer skin tone and appearance, drinking more water causes you to release more water through excretion, thereby dropping "water retention".

This sums it up nicely.

[gymratluke]

Koreanfury has hit the nail on the head. Someone else mentioned that it has to warm up and that burns calories and thats also correct. You mentioned its recommended to drink 64oz per day, and thats for any and everyone. If you lift, do cardio, sweat, eat more than normal, and take supps, you need more water. So someone like me needs well over a gallon per day. I keep track by 1/2ltr bottles and cups. Today so far I have drank 14 bottles and 16 cups. Close to 3 gallons, and thats no joke. I always get well over 2 gallons per day. It helps me while cutting to drop the excess water, and burn tons of fat. The colder the water, the more it has to warm up, and the more calories burned. I suggest you drink your gallon if not more.

[noslolo]

I had a friend that went to a personal trainer and he told her not to drink her water cold because it would slow down her metabolism (sp?) any truth to that?

[PermanentChange]

Today so far I have drank 14 bottles and 16 cups. Close to 3 gallons, and thats no joke. I always get well over 2 gallons per day. It helps me while cutting to drop the excess water, and burn tons of fat. The colder the water, the more it has to warm up, and the more calories burned. I suggest you drink your gallon if not more.

So, what you're saying is that drinking that much water won't stay with you (i.e. water retention), but, rather, will help you clean out your system more effectively? I see, now, the theory behind more water intake for those who exercise more, but is there ever a time when too much water would work against you?

[devil_s haircut]

Well, if you were an endurance athlete (running a triathalon or marathon), drinking too much water can actually kill you (though the chances are slim). You lose salt in your sweat, especially if you aren't drinking something like gatorade to replace the salt. The lack of salt will interfer with brain, heart, and muscle function.

It's called "hyponatremia".

[micky c]

I had a friend that went to a personal trainer and he told her not to drink her water cold because it would slow down her metabolism (sp?) any truth to that?

no

[Be-Be]

Someone told me they always have ice in their water because the body burns more calories bringing the temp up. A little research on the net and I found a study that said it may burn an extra 1-2 pounds a year.

[nithos]

I put back about 6-8 liters of water sitting at work. I drink more before and after, but I don't track it as well...

[The Godfatha]

Someone told me they always have ice in their water because the body burns more calories bringing the temp up. A little research on the net and I found a study that said it may burn an extra 1-2 pounds a year.

I think that any metabolism icnrease is negligible if not non-existant as I highly doubt they would have been able to run a trial where people were pretty much living their lives exactly the same other than some drinking room temp water and others drinking iced water. Even if they did I don't think its worth the hassle for 2 pounds a year though if you like it iced then keep on drinking it that way.

I think everyone has made valid points about hydration requirements and I think that general guides are useful but the best indicator is your own body so drink enough water to make sure your urine is always pretty much clear that way you know your body is hydrated and is not having to implement measures to conserve water (i.e. ADH release).

[Be-Be]

[QUOTE=The Godfatha]I think that any metabolism icnrease is negligible if not non-existant as I highly doubt they would have been able to run a trial where people were pretty much living their lives exactly the same other than some drinking room temp water and others drinking iced water. Even if they did I don't think its worth the hassle for 2 pounds a year though if you like it iced then keep on drinking it that way. [QUOTE]

Guess I should have included the rolling eyes smilie - I wasn't advocating it but commenting on how ridiculous it was. The previous post was regarding not drinking it cold because it would slow metabolism.

[nithos]

Guess I should have included the rolling eyes smilie - I wasn't advocating it but commenting on how ridiculous it was. The previous post was regarding not drinking it cold because it would slow metabolism.

It's simple thermo. ~6.6 kCalories to heat up a liter of water from freezing to bodytemp. That's only 530 gallons of water to drop 1 pound of fat...

[gymratluke]

So, what you're saying is that drinking that much water won't stay with you (i.e. water retention), but, rather, will help you clean out your system more effectively? I see, now, the theory behind more water intake for those who exercise more, but is there ever a time when too much water would work against you?

Basically it goes like this, your body is very smart, and from the begining of time, it has created mechanisms that make sure it will survive, e.i. fat stage, water storage, forthe times when water and food are not available. When its readily available, it gets the point and releases the excess. So when you drink tons of water, your body gets rid of all that the water it can and still function normally. Same with food, not only does eating frequently have a thermal effect, helping burn calories, but your body knows that its going to keep getting food constantly so it will beginin to use your fat more efficiently for energy to rid of what it does not need. But remember, your body want to keep a certain amount so dont expect that eating every 2 hours is going to help much weightloss wise after you are down under 11% because thats ideal for your body to function. Hope that all makes sense.

[PermanentChange]

...drink enough water to make sure your urine is always pretty much clear that way you know your body is hydrated and is not having to implement measures to conserve water (i.e. ADH release).

That's what I've heard before and I think that it's an EXCELLENT rule of thumb. I have found, through my own trial and errors, that if I drink at least 96 oz. of water (roughly 3/4 of a gallon), then my urine comes out nice and clear. Of course, more water if I'm exercising, but I believe that I'll definitely keep my minimum at 96 oz.

[collegelifter85]

cleans out ur system and puts naturally made creatine into your muscles. most of all... it prevents dehydration


and to that guy above cold water speeds up ur metabolism.

[RockyIV]

The 8 glasses of 8 oz. is for your average desk jockey couch potato. While bodybuilding your body requires more care. I drink 1.5-2 gallons a day. It also keeps you away from those soft drinks and juices that are calorie dense.

[PermanentChange]

The 8 glasses of 8 oz. is for your average desk jockey couch potato. While bodybuilding your body requires more care. I drink 1.5-2 gallons a day. It also keeps you away from those soft drinks and juices that are calorie dense.

I've been doing the 64-96 oz. for the last seven months and just started the gallon of water today. Refresh my memory: how long before I stop residing at the bathroom urinal on a full-time basis?

[HatesFat]

I put back about 6-8 liters of water sitting at work. I drink more before and after, but I don't track it as well...

Holy mother of..... how do you not drown???

[checkyourhead]

I've been doing the 64-96 oz. for the last seven months and just started the gallon of water today. Refresh my memory: how long before I stop residing at the bathroom urinal on a full-time basis?

You need to wait until your bladder gets bigger. Try holding it(not too long of course, you don't want any problems) a few times, and you should find you are soon able to hold more water.

[gymratluke]

Today I drank 16 bottles and 18 cups, thats like 415 oz. YEAH!

[norishinghgh]

What would be the maximum litres of water consumed in one day? I'm guessing juices, sodas, milk aren't included.

[RockyIV]

I've been doing the 64-96 oz. for the last seven months and just started the gallon of water today. Refresh my memory: how long before I stop residing at the bathroom urinal on a full-time basis?

You get used to it. Also, just keep sipping on the water if possible and try not to chug it in intervals. When you chug a bunch it makes you go to the bathroom. You have the right idea about slowly working the water up and not introducing 2 gal a day at once.

[PermanentChange]

Bumped, for all the noobs out there...

[Khryz]

I had a friend that went to a personal trainer and he told her not to drink her water cold because it would slow down her metabolism (sp?) any truth to that?

I love the rep most personal trainers are giving to the rest of us. I bet that same personal trainer thinks eating fat makes you fat.

P.S. Most personal trainers don't know jack about nutrition - hence they're not nutritionists or dieticians.

But back to the topic, just make sure you don't drink too much water. At a time I was drinking close to 3 gallons a day (long days of course) and then I read studies about overhydrations and swelling of the brain. But 1-2 gallons a day is fine for 99% of us.