BodyArmor Super Drink and Body Armor Lyte are sports drinks with reduced sugar content, containing natural sweeteners like stevia and erythritol. They offer essential electrolytes and vitamins but have a modest carbohydrate level. However, overuse of electrolyte drinks can lead to confusion, irritability, irregular heart rate, and breathing difficulties. Too much sodium, also known as hypernatremia, can cause dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhea, while too much potassium, known as hyperkalemia, can impact vital body functions. Chronic vomiting or diarrhea can also cause electrolyte loss, and it is essential to replace these fluids to prevent dehydration and maintain essential body functions. Some drinks can worsen diarrhea, so it is recommended to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks during diarrhea.
Illness can also take electrolyte levels down, especially if experiencing fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. While it is theoretically possible to overdose on sodium, overdoing it can lead to electrolyte imbalance. Common causes of electrolyte imbalance include illness symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, or high fevers, which can cause fluid loss or electrolyte imbalance. Overdoing BodyArmor can lead to fatigue and fatigue.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Electrolyte Imbalance 101 For the Knowledge Thirsty | An excess of sodium, formally designated as hypernatremia, can precipitate a constellation of symptoms including dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhea. An excess of potassium, medically defined as hyperkalemia, has the potential to affect a number of physiological processes. | hher24.com |
| Signs You Have An Electrolyte Imbalance | Another significant cause of electrolyte loss is chronic vomiting or diarrhea. It is imperative that these fluids be replenished in order to prevent dehydration and maintain essential bodily functions. | www.piedmont.org |
📹 Drinking Water Is NOT the Best Way to Stay Hydrated
When you’re not thirsty and force yourself to drink a lot of water, this can cause various issues, especially if you exercise.
Can you overdo drinking electrolytes?
Overuse of electrolyte drinks can be a problem, she said. Excess electrolytes can lead to heart rhythm issues, fatigue, nausea and more. “Interestingly, a lot of the same symptoms of getting too much can look like getting not enough.”
What happens if you drink electrolytes too quickly?
What happens if you have too many electrolytes?. Having too much of a particular electrolyte element in your system can lead to symptoms like:
- Confusion and irritability.
- Irregular heart rate (arrhythmia).
- Breathing difficulties.
- Fatigue.
- Headaches.
- Muscle cramps or weakness.
- Diarrhea or constipation.
- Nausea and vomiting.
Is it safe to drink sports drinks all day?. It’s not a good idea to turn electrolyte drinks into your go-to beverage throughout the day. “It’s certainly possible to go overboard with them,” warns Zumpano.
Guzzling a sports drink isn’t the same as sipping water for basic hydration, after all. View electrolyte-enhanced drinks as a specialty product to be used when necessary to replenish your body’s lost resources.
How do I know if I’m drinking too many electrolytes?
Excess electrolytes can lead to heart rhythm issues, fatigue, nausea and more. “Interestingly, a lot of the same symptoms of getting too much can look like getting not enough.” She emphasized the value of getting electrolytes from a healthy diet.
Can body armor drink cause diarrhea?
Gastrointestinal Discomfort: High sugar intake can cause bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort. Diarrhea: Excess sugar consumption can lead to an osmotic effect in the intestines, pulling water into the digestive tract and potentially causing diarrhea.
Introduction to Body Armor Sports Drink. Body Armor Sports drink, a sports beverage designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, has become a popular choice due to its hydration capabilities and wide variety of flavors. But what’s inside this vibrant bottle, and is it the right choice for you?
What’s Inside a Bottle of Body Armor?. Body Armor sports drink boasts a blend of essential nutrients. It contains a mixture of electrolytes, antioxidants, and vitamins, designed to provide hydration and replenishment during physical activity. The primary electrolytes found in the drink are from potassium, known for its role in maintaining fluid balance within the body.
- Body Armor Nutritional Profile:. Calories – 90
- Fat – 0g
- Sodium – 30mg
- Potassium – 530mg
- Carbs – 21g
- Sugar – 21g
Can drinking too much electrolytes cause diarrhea?
- Side effects of drinking too many electrolytes include nausea and diarrhea.
- Overhydrating can make athletes run slower and can be deadly.
There’s a term for how to stay adequately hydrated: “Drink to thirst.”
Lipman says the idea is that when you get a little dehydrated, your body will tell you you’re thirsty. That’s when you drink.;
What are the disadvantages of Bodyarmor?
Cons of BODYARMOR drinks. While Body Armor has many benefits, there are some drawbacks too:
Lower Sodium Content: For those engaging in prolonged, intense physical activities, the low sodium content may not actually be enough for you to replace the sodium lost through sweat. Additional supplementation might be needed.
Sugar Content: If you’re being particularly mindful of sugar, the regular version of BODYARMOR does have a good amount of added sugar, so you’d want to choose one of the lower sugar varieties.
Body Armor flavors. There are lots of Body Armor drink flavors to choose from. Some of the popular ones include fruit punch, orange mango, strawberry banana, lemon lime and watermelon strawberry.
What are the disadvantages of BODYARMOR drinks?
Added Sugars: The high sugar content in Bodyarmor is an important aspect to consider when evaluating its impact on the body. While Bodyarmor is marketed as a hydration drink for active individuals, some flavors of the beverage contain significant amounts of added sugars. Added sugars are those that are not naturally occurring in the ingredients but are included during processing or preparation.
Added sugars can lead to increased calorie intake, blood sugar spikes and crashes, dental health issues, and an increased risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. It’s important to be mindful of hidden sugars in our diets and choose options with lower added sugar content or alternative hydration methods like water infused with natural flavors. Moderation and awareness are key to supporting our overall health.
If you are looking for a healthy alternative to Bodyarmor, drinking filtered water is an excellent choice. Not only does water hydrate your body and keep you alert and focused, but it also helps remove contaminants from your drinking water. The Epic Nalgene OG is an American made filtered water bottle which provides a convenient way to have clean water with you no matter where you find yourself.
What happens if you overdose on electrolytes?
While an electrolyte drink may be helpful at keeping dehydration at bay, consuming too many electrolytes can lead to an imbalance, and in severe cases, could cause symptoms like weakness, headache, tremors, confusion, muscle cramping, rapid heartbeat and gastrointestinal issues.
What is the healthiest BODYARMOR drink?
Body Armor LYTEThe LYTE version is hands down my top pick for a regular grab-and-go sports drink. Per 16-ounce bottle: 20 calories, 18 grams carbs, 2 grams sugar, 40 milligrams sodium and 700 milligrams potassium. No artificial sweeteners or colors (sweetened with stevia; colored with natural juice extracts)
Warmer weather can be brutal and really do a number on our hydration levels. When looking for options to stay hydrated, many turn to ordinary sports drinks, which may not always be the best answer, as many are packed with copious amounts of added sugar. So, what is the healthiest sports drink? We’ve found a few options out there that optimize hydration and fuel performance without overloading you on the sweet stuff.
Read on for our picks for the healthiest sports drinks on store shelves and the ones to avoid.
- Key points to keep in mind:. It’s essential to replenish electrolytes, particularly when losing large amounts of sweat.
- Sodium is the main electrolyte lost in sweat.
- Sugar-containing sports drinks are typically only needed when your exercise session is longer than 60 to 90 minutes.
Can you drink too much body armor?
During the day your body is constantly getting rid of unnecessary fluids through urine and sweat. Replenishing with water is important.
Even though you may be trying to replenish these nutrients to help your body function, it’s not safe to overload your body with the constant sources of electrolytes and calories that are contained in a sports drink, despite what many may have heard.
“I believe that Bodyarmor and Gatorade are healthy for you because they have less sugar than a normal juice drink and have lots of electrolytes,” junior Joseph Fontaine said.
Apple and orange juices may be better choices, but in terms of natural sugars, apple juice is packed with 27 grams of sugar in an 8 oz glass. Water is better.
How to stop electrolyte diarrhea?
Tips to Prevent Electrolyte Imbalance High sodium liquids include bouillon and fat-free broth. Foods high in potassium that do not cause diarrhea include bananas, peach or apricot nectars, and boiled or mashed potatoes.
📹 Risks of drinking too much coconut water
YOU MIGHT GET TOO MUCH POTASSIUM, WHICH CAUSES STOMACH UPSET,G. I. UPSET, DIARRHEA AND ADDED SUGAR …
I’m from a rural part of Ireland, my grandad had to travel 3 miles to a well on a donkey and cart when he was young to fill barrels with water to bring home. Because of this,water was used sparingly in his youth. I asked if they drank 2 litres a day, and he just laughed, there was 17 of them living in the house, he said you just had a small glass when you were thirsty, there’s no way all 17 could have two litres a day! He survived, he’s also 89 !
I’ll never forget my coworker came to work – young girl She says to me “I’ve been on this gallon a day water cleanse I feel so terrible.” Once I explained she was flushing her body of all electrolytes and salt and the stuff our body needs, she understood how all that water was doing the opposite of what she wanted.
I listen to Barbara ONeal’s podcasts and find them very helpful. She’s from Australia, a lovely woman with I think ten children. She was talking about drinking water and she said exactly what Dr. Berg said. She suggested to chew on a few grains (or crystals) of Celtic salt, which is known to be very rich in minerals, before drinking water and that will help the water to be absorbed into the cells. She said magnesium is known to be a thirsty mineral that will absorb the water into the cell. Doctors don’t give you this kind of information. I learn more from perusal Dr. Berg and Barbara, as well as from reading comments (oh yes) than I do from doctors.
I’m so glad you made this article! In the last several years I’ve been having severe weakness etc and at this time last year I had applied for disability. I had been told years ago by a heart Dr that I should never consume salt. He even said that if people would stop consuming salt that he would be without a job. So, I stopped consuming salt altogether. Then I was told that I needed to drink tons of water and that would make me feel better because I must be dehydrated. So I started to do that. My health plumited. I was in and out of the er multiple times per month and rang up bills galore! I was on some blood pressure meds including a diaredic. Now why all those Drs could not figure out what was wrong with me is crazy. I started perusal more articles on these subjects, including your articles, and made changes like including some pink salt and cut back the water, plus started taking more potassium and magnesium. I started to feel better within days! I then have continued with more articles and learned that not having a gallbladder has caused some vitamin deficiencies for me. So I take your suppliments. I’m really happy that I found you. You explain thing so well. Last year at this time I thought I was dying and now I feel so much better! Thank you
My doctor was still on the 8 glasses kick the last time we talked about hydration. This was an eleven minute article. I challenge anyone to get their doctor to talk to them for eleven minutes about just hydration. This is where we live in American health care hence the extreme value of this article. Thank you.
This is an option I have chosen to use. I’m not saying mine is the best but have found to work with me. I am a water drinker. I don’t drink sugared drinks exept sometimes i may have some sweetened tea (very low with sugar). I like drinking spring water in the bottle. I add a pinch of celtic salt (has 82 natural minerals), shake it up and drink it normally. Yes, every bottle has a pinch of celtic salt. Now, you can also use himalayan salt the same way. At this time I’ve been ordering the celtic salt on Amazon. My advice also to salt users at the table. Throw away the regular table salt you’ve been using and use either himalayan or celtic salt. Table salt has been stripped of it’s natural resources and replaced with 2 synthetic minerals. Your body cannot absorb synthetic minerals.
I live in a place where we are lucky enough to have really great and clean water. I remember one New Years Eve where we were stranded in the woods by a massive snow dump. We managed to get to the neighbor’s and they were home. None of us had anything to drink except our wonderful water right out of the creek. We all toasted the new year in water, no one complained.
As a diabetic patient, I am constantly thirsty. Frequent urination, headaches etc when I do not drink copious amounts (hypoglycemic). Restarting my keto plan after multiple medical injuries, chronic pain, 130 pound weight gain, hospitalizations etc. Thank you Dr. Berg for providing the motivation to reset my health.
Great advice Doc., but one important point. Many older adults as they age lose their thirst response. Dehydration amongst the elderly is a major problem and potentially dangerous. Postural hypotension can be a major cause of falls in the elderly, especially late at night rising to go to the bathroom or getting off the toilet. Falling in the bathroom can result in serious injury in the already frail. I’ve seen it result in major head trauma.
When I was pregnant, I was always thirsty. I would drink minimum a gallon of water a day, yet I always felt dehydrated. I would urinate every 30 minutes and it just felt like the water was not hydrating my body. I had oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid) and was told to keep drinking pure water and no less than a gallon a day which is what I did. Nothing helped until they put an IV on me… now I understand why. Thank you.
Agree with the general premise. I just might add that as Dr. Berg was saying, working out and hot weather really changes the equation. I’ve heard thirst described as a lagging indicator, so you might be sweating like crazy long before you get thirsty. I get pounding headaches after sweating really hard, sometimes even nausea and vomiting, so if I know I’m going to have prolonged exposure to hot weather or am going to do a long intense workout, the easiest way for me to avoid those massive headaches and other symptoms is to pre-hydrate. Overall, I agree that if you’re sitting indoors all day in climate-controlled environments then you shouldn’t force yourself to drink, but in really hot weather or during workouts you probably don’t want to wait to get thirsty.
I was diagnosed with hyponatremia almost 15 years ago – dang me how fast time flies. I was also diagnosed with T2D. Yep, unbearable and unrelievable thirst led my husband to pester me to go to the doc and get tested for diabetes. These days, my thirst regulator, while not exactly broken, it IS quite running like a not fully flattened tire. My body has realized that the only way to let me know I need to hydrate is to give me dry lips.Yes. Dry lips. It takes a minute for me to get the clue, but at least I do. Get the clue. Love your episodes. They are ALWAYS empowering to me with the knowledge, studies, insights and I could go on, but I won’t. I have already talked too long. Blessings on you and your wife good sir and may you have an extraordinarily awesome day.
Thank you for the insight. As a muslim currently fasting 16-17 hours a day with no food or water, it really is incredible to see how quickly the body adjusts and how little it needs to thrive. In fact I have more energy during the fast then I do whilst regularly eating meals throughout the day. Over consumption of anything will always be destructive. Our Prophet PBUH would fast regularly and never eat to his fill. Consuming moderately would alleviate many of the issues we face both personally but also on a wider communal scale.
I think part of the issue is that so many people are drinking filtered/bottled water where all the electrolytes have been removed. Also, we’ve been told for all too many years how unhealthy salt in our diets is. I wish people really were told more about how important the sodium/potassium balance really is. Most of us don’t come close to getting the 1.5 to 2 grams of potassium per day.
Absolutely true. There was a short time when I decided to force myself to drink upwards of 2 litres of water daily. It felt uncomfortable, I got shivers and felt cold, I got constipated, and psychologically, I got more anxious and depressed. These symptoms disappeared when I resumed consuming fluids according to my thirst.
Since I was a child everytime I ran or did physical work, expecially on hot sunny days, I would get dizzy and feel like I was going to pass out. I only realized when I was an adult that it was dehydration and a drink of water instantly made me feel better, even though I didn’t feel thirsty at all. So it’s good to stay hydrated even if you don’t feel thirsty, especially on hot days or during physically demanding work or exercise. As a child, I rarely drank water I only drank sugary soft drinks.
Concerning the hydration of the body I believe it is quite personal, depending on climate, exercise and the food we eat. Somebody eating big salads and “wet” food will require less water. For example eating saulty and spicy food will require more water. It all depends how live and what we do. The only thing we can do is watch how we feel and act accordingly.
im glad you pointed this out as we are often told alot of rubbish which goes against the grain. ive often had problems drinking water and you get alot of pressure from people who think they know better but they don’t know at all. its interesting to understand how the cell electrolytes work. that’s what its all about. great advice as always thank you.
Comes down to mineral balance and ph level, not water volume. This man is absolutely correct. Sometimes less is more. It’s great to add some natural mineral salt for ph to water. Fruit juice(pasturized) is dead sugar water with no enzymes. For hydration, fresh fruit, raw dairy, coconut water, and an occasional sip of regular water with a pinch of salt is best.
Such an awesome article with important facts. My first time perusal a year later. I had a cousin ending up in an ER a few years ago, related to drinking too much water. What I love about Dr. Berg is his repeated information in articles; started me making sure I get electrolytes daily. In foods when possible. Thank you Dr. Berg.
The last year I was in the army, 4 men died in a long training course due to hyponatremia. Plenty of water, but the 60+ day course involved greatly reduced sleep and food to try to simulate combat conditions. They just sat down and died. It almost happened to me training for triathlons, part way into a 20 mile run, the water I was drinking just sat in my stomach sloshing around. I made it home and passed out for more than a day. I only realized afterward how bad and haphazard my nutrition intake was. That was the old 8+ glasses a day force hydration mode.
There is an evolutionary disposition of people (and other living beings) to crave for what the body needs. You should ALWAYS listen to that and definately NOT go against it. We all know it from pregnant women aswell, but it works for all. Ofc im talking about foods, not addiction. If you are thirsty, you need hydration. If you feel like something sweet, you need sugars (big or small ones) If you feel like a steak, of burger, you need protein. OR salt, as we usually salt (season) our meats. May also be that you feel like eating potato chips or something, which are usually salted. Those are the major ones. (imo there is no such particularly for fats). Specific minerals, vitamins, etc are less explicit, but if you really feel like eating pickles, you most likely need something that is in that food. And dont go overboard with anything. If you want to diet, or get in shape, or smth, you didnt gain all that or got out of shape in a day. Dont try to correct it in a short period. Take your time. It usually comes down to 2 things; move more, eat less. Also always look at why you got into that bad condition. Its probably something psychological, social, emotional. You will have to try correct that too. In my opinion thats the hardest part.
I worked outside in South Carolina heat from high school to about age 40. I didn’t like water, so I drank Gatorade all day. I’m pretty sure that this fact and living on fast food during those years are the reason that I’ve been diabetic type 2 for the last 20 plus years. Age 62 now, fixing my body with low carb, Keto and IF.
I so appreciate your etremely helpful information! I get so tired of these endless rants about drinking water all the time. In 2017 I ended up in a coma for 3 days in the hospital with hyponatremia. It was one of the scariest things in my life! My problem is I am always thirsty. I am not pre-diabetic and I’m on healthy keto diet. I am going to go out and buy those test strips you recommend . Thank you again!
My mom’s 92 years old and never drinks more than 4 glasses of water a day. She’s extremely healthy! The trend seems to be, drink water, even if you’re not thirsty and avoid gluten. I wonder what’s next? These trends seem to be shortcuts for good health with little logic. Dear Dr. Berg says hydration happens in the cells, when they’re working right, you don’t have to over water yourself. My mom’s an example of that.
He says fruit juice dehydrates you, but a few years ago, my mom’s tennis coach gave us some articles citing research that showed that a roughly half and half mix of fruit juice and water hydrated more efficiently than plain juice or plain water. I found it very helpful, along with the advice to sip often rather than gulping a lot infrequently.
Thank you for the education, Dr. Berg. I know that when my body tells me it wants a drink, the water tastes like nectar. At those times, I drink my fill and my body truly feels refreshed. I’m glad to know that I can continue to drink water like this, rather than force-drinking 8 glasses a day. I think it’s important to allow my body to tell me when, since it’s working correctly. Blessings to you!
When I was pregnant at 34 years old, I was drinking a ton of water and still felt very thirsty. When I told it to my doctor, I was told to start drinking some gatoraid, but it wasn’t explained to me that only drinking water isn’t really good. I was just told to do it, and it did solve the problem. I believed the “drink more water” push going on at that time. (I am 51 years old now). I have lived long enough to go through lots of these stupid diet trends. Today, I stick with the simple “moderation” with everything. I drink when I am thirsty, and I drink a variety of things throughout the day. I try and keep it healthy… like cranberry juice, apple juice, tea’s without caffeine, lemon water, and the like and I have been just fine with it. I even do soda’s on occasion. Just mix it up. Don’t over do any one thing, when it comes to food and drink. We hyper focus all the time on these diet trends. Then, later down the road we decide it wasn’t good to do that, but we just stupidly move on to another one. People, just use moderation with everything. If you are that concerned with it, then get your vitamin levels checked.
So generally -Drink water when you’re thirsty (what a concept) – electrolytes are just as important (have a look at homemade electrolyte drinks on YT) – if you are drinking coffee and sodas, follow up with a little water. – if it’s hot and or humid, in take a bit more but not too much. – the only time you need to take in a lot of water is when you have kidney stones. – hotter climate dwellers should drink a little more.
Dr. Berg, I am a runner. Ran my first marathon this past December. During my training I was continually advised by different expert runners to not wait until you’re thirsty to drink during the run. There reasoning is that during the race you’re past dehydration if you drink when you’re thirsty. What’s your thoughts on this in the middle of the race? I appreciate your website. You’ve really changed my life. 30lbs down, healthy gut, and great energy. All because I listened to you.
Dr. Berg, my sister and I watch just about every one of your articles, and the one on B1 deficiency was especially a blessing to us. We love you and the wonderful information you are providing to all of us. 💗💗💗 You are a true physician who imparts a broad range of excellent knowledge of the human body. 🤗
My husband and I both love your articles. That said, he keeps telling me that YOU said I’m drinking too much water. So let me tell you my points, and I’d really appreciate your feedback. I average about 128 oz a day ( 4 x 32oz bottle ) I eat really clean, no sugar and take supplements like trace minerals. I exercise on average 30 mins a day. The water I drink is from our well and we have a water softener on our system ( salt ). I do drink a cup or two of black coffee each day but other than an occasional Kombucha or coconut water, I only drink water. I hope you will give us some feedback. Thank you for all of your articles 🙌 Quick edit: I have a history of kidney stones
Me(72yrs) and a partner(65yrs) go gold prospecting in the desert, usually in the Arizona desert. Our backpack weight is a concern. We carry 4 bottles of water and 1 bottle of electrolytes each per day. We use the electrolytes only if we ‘feel’ dehydrated. After seeing this, I think we will modify our strategy. thanks Dr. Berg
In Australia it has always been to drink two litres a day of H20 (about 8 glasses). Only recently it has been reported by the relevant Medical authority that this does not apply anymore. Really difficult to understand how even simple things are messed up in the first place. I am a big water drinker, in particular when it gets past those 100 degree days.
What I have been pondering: Constipation can be a sign of dehydration or magnesium deficiency, the latter I’m not so sure of. So fruit juices, such as prune, and osmotic laxatives, such as magnesium citrate, work by drawing water in to the intestines. The question is, where is this water coming from? And can this make you even more dehydrated? What are other options?
I remember drinking a gallon of water and waking up the next day feeling terrible. Woke up to a massive headache and felt dehydrated. That was so puzzling to me. Now I know better and add electrolytes to my water. I no longer drink that much water, and furthermore, who wants to constantly make trips to the bathroom? 🏃♀️😂
Thinking back through the first 50 years of my life (I’m 66 now), we didn’t drink even half of what the so-called experts say we should be drinking. We were fine! Didn’t hear anything about dehydration unless it was a very hot summer like 1976 when the TV news advised people to drink more than usual. But no big deal was made out of it. It amuses me to see people grasping onto their water bottles like they are dying of thirst! My first job when I left school, we worked 10 hour shifts. We had three short breaks of 20 minutes each in that time and that was the only opportunity to drink something. I can’t recall anyone ever passing out or being ill. This mania with water is just so odd.
This is my experience but I make myself a smoothie in the morning every once in a while and i definitely feel less thirsty through out the day. Even after i eat food, i don’t feel thirsty at all. The smoothie i make has strawberries, blueberries, peaches, mango, 3 key limes squeezed in, and apple juice.
I’m the worst case scenario. I lost a kidney due to a birth defect when I was a teenager. I still have the kidney, but it might as well be a water balloon. The good kidney basically shuts down when I become dehydrated. Too much acid in the tummy also will cause it stop working, and when this happens it feels like I have a kidney stone. So I pay attention to hydration. Most folks don’t, and why should they? However, using me as a benchmark folks with normal plumbing can also get into some level of stress by being dehydrated whether they realize it or not. Thirst should NEVER be the measure of when to grab something to drink. By the time you get thirsty you’re already in trouble. The thing is to get some fluid BEFORE your thirst mechanism kicks in. Only trial and error per person gets the balance right. And most folks just don’t want to worry with that. I don’t blame ’em. I wouldn’t either if I didn’t have to.
This is definitely good to know. I agree spring water is the best. Drinking to much purified water can dilute important minerals. A lot of people don’t know that and I appreciate this article. But everyone is different and needs to listen to their body and health needs. Spring water is the best tho and adding fruit to water doesn’t hurt as well. I love water and am thirsty quite a bit but everyone has diff needs so don’t listen to just one article. Do your own research
Also,eating vegetables that have water is superior to only drinking water because veggies have exclusion zone water which is the gel-like water in your cells. The body doesn’t have to convert the water in veggies to the EZ water so it makes it easier to enter the cells. Look at Dr. Gerald Pollack’s research on exclusion zone water.
The idea of 8 glasses of water came from a 1950’s research that learned that the body uses 8 glasses of water a day and recommended that you stay hydrated, then in next paragraph it says you get most of those 8 glasses of water from foods you eat. Unfortunately, the 8 glasses of water just stuck. Bottom line: When you’re thirsty, drink water. When you’re not thirsty, don’t drink water.
I work outside. I used to drink about a gallon of water while working in the hot weather. In the afternoon I would pee more. Every once in a while I would get light headed around mid morning. Now, I drink about 2 quarts of water in the Summer. Then 16oz-32oz of Gatorade after work. I feel much better. My pee can get dark and even brown-ish. But I really don’t over analyze this because I monitor my fluid intake. I am 55 and never had a heat related problem. Force drinking a gallon of water a day is a good example of how people over-analyze things. All that water will wick the minerals out of your body, like a flood.
When I was in basic training in Alabama during the height of summer and the temperature would exceed 100 degrees daily, our drill sergeants would make us put salt packets in our water canister before a hike, it was the norm; I never fell out or fainted, but a few guys didn’t always make it and had to be rushed to the hospital, not sure if it was heat exhaustion or dehydration but the salt seemed to work out for the majority of us.
For decades it has always been water for me. Lemon makes canker sores on my tongue. Today, I am going to try the salt and lemon. Tried it and I really think I can get into this. Also really love hylands tissue salts. They call them bio plasm now. Tissue salts and magnesium baths with borax and red mills baking soda. Thanks for all of your info. mister, you know a lot.
Great topic. It raised several thoughts in my mind: a. Glucose molecules as a staple of sugar, break down into 16 molecules of water. So, ‘dehydration’ seems less of an issue than eating adequate food, or doing strenuous exercise that demands more fluids that your body can release. So, it strikes me that ‘exercise demands water simply to cool you’, inside or out. b. I’m reminded of an old lady on a bus who said that ‘she eats apples when she travels because it doesn’t make her pee’. The lesson here seems to be that metabolic reduction of apple sugars is compatible with one’s transpiration rates; whereas drinking water seems to ‘upset one’s hydration balance’ and result in one’s need to pee. c. I don’t really have a ‘strong thirst’, and I’m a pretty relaxed guy. I do a lot of exercise, but its walking 2-3 times a day, that doesn’t make me sweat. I do find though that I get headaches due to dehydration, relieved by water. Admittedly, I do drink morning coffee and tea through the day, with sugary biscuit, so some link there I guess. d. I’m interested in the link between dehydration and climate. I just went from cold (16degC) NZ to 24degC T-shirt weather Sydney, and I was surprised that I was not peeing like I do in NZ, despite drinking a lot of water, and alcohol, and morning coffee, some tea. You were going to discuss ‘better ways of hydrating’ I thought, but I didn’t hear it I think. I guess I kind of expected you to talk about apples, or fruits, as a way of hydrating. There was I think some wisdom in that 75yo lady’s suggestion.
Had a paramedic tell us that if we drink anything with electrolytes that Pedialyte (for children) was 100% better than Gatorade or anything like that. He also said if we did have only the sports drink, to dilute it with water. He told us this after we had to call an ambulance for my daughter who had passed out from heat exhaustion and dehydration. I always felt we should listen to our own bodies needs. I’m not an active person. I don’t need 8 glasses of water a day. I drink when I’m thirsty and I watch my caffeine and sugar intake. That’s what works for me.
I always wondered how our ancient ancestors could naturally get 8 cups of water a day if they were hunter gatherers say and didn’t have a lot of water sources nearby or lived in an arid environment. Or even in say medieval Europe when the bubonic plague hit. If it was normal to drink that much everyday how did they do it? You’ve explained a lot and it still takes a while to understand it.
This is spot on. As a marathon runner and Ironman triathlete (although at my current age of 64, I stick to the half-distances now), I have known for a long time that this “drink water all day” thing was a myth, and actually could hurt you. And the ONLY time I drink sports drinks is during (or maybe right after) a race or long training event. I found out (by trial and error) that if I drank only water during a marathon, I would inevitable cramp put (mostly calves) past 20 miles, but that did not happen if I drank sports drinks (or water supplemented by electrolyte gels) during the race. People need to listen to their bodies. Thirst signals are there for a reason. No need to over-hydrate, and in fact, as pointed out here, it can be dangerous. Interestingly, I have participated in races where they had Coke (or equivalent) as an option at some of the drink stations, and it seemed to help quite a bit. Although that is anecdotal, there are some pro athletes that say the same thing, so…
I agree and one thing to consider is just how good the body actually is at getting the water it needs from other beverages and foods. I had a very high lead water tap leading me to only buy cheap purified water. That won’t kill you but if you’re like me, then you don’t always trust the chemical concoctions in your local tap water. Especially at periods of time when this water ran out, I generally just drink other things like whole milk, various juices, etc.. Yet sometimes doing so boosts my health even more. Even without drinking a real glass of what you call pure water you will still be more than able to be healthy and survive. I noticed the effect of eating more sodium when drinking lots of actual water and of course without sodium and nutrients, more water will only sometimes flush out the sodium and nutrients. To be healthy I think you should only eat and use water sparingly or even when you feel thirsty. It’s obvious from experience but equally sad people don’t realize it. Still Im glad you reaffirm this so I don’t feel so pseudoscientific ; I truly think 8 glasses of water is wasteful and for a typical person 2 to 3 will suffice. 8 is for like bodybuilding or sweating alot.
Hydration isn’t just about water in cells; electrolyte balance is crucial. Drinking excessive water can dilute electrolytes, leading to dangerous conditions. Sugary drinks like fruit juice and sports drinks can dehydrate due to glucose’s effects. Excessive water intake, even with electrolytes, can hinder fat burning and health. Listen to your body’s thirst cues and avoid overforcing excessive water consumption.
When I was an Active Duty Marine (1998-1999 timeframe), I wound up with heat stroke during the rifle range. I had been and was up to the incident drinking water and this occurred on day 4 or 5 of the range. And then had to run a PFT about a week later. Heat Exhaustion. The doctor told me it was electrolyte dehydration. I’d been drinking bottled water and was in a desert. So water didn’t help. But at that point and time the USMC didn’t address electrolytes. Just pushed drink water.
There is a hormone created by the body that regulates how much water the body holds. I know because my daughter had a brain tumor and is on lifetime medication because she doesn’t have it. If I were to drink even six glasses a day, I’d be urinating every 30 minutes. I just don’t need as much water as some people. How often (or not) one urinates should also be a clue on how much water is right for you.
Dr Berg, I’ve read that the best source of hydration comes from drinking coconut water…and I mean right out of the young green coconut, not the sugar laden cartons of coconut water you buy at the supermarket. Natural coconut water has high levels of both Potassium and Sodium. I believe this to be true as I drank the water from 2 coconuts before playing tennis in the hot sun for an hour and a half and did not feel thirsty enough to drink anything afterwards. What are your thoughts?
You should explain to your viewers what harvesting to much does to our farmlands and this is why we must supplement since all the value of nutrition used to get out of her food no longer is in our food. I can’t stress, but that’s one of the most important things to learn so we take care of our self accordingly
Dr. Berg thank you!!!🙏 I started healthy keto in November 2021, convinced my mom and my sister to start it too… all 3 of us feels much much better!!! Dr. Berg please please please create vitamins and trace minerals for kids. My son is 2 years old and I can’t find the supplements that I would love. I am sure millions of parents will be graceful to you if you do it!
I can vouch for you dr. Way before I ever heard of fasting back in2012 on an august construction site I suddenly cramped up and barely made it to the truck and almost couldn’t even drive down the turnpike on my way to the hospital. The hospital staff just looked at me stupidly, said I was fine, and asked me why I was working when it was so hot…so I went home for the day. I struggled with this for years until last September when I discovered that (for me) magnesium MUST be present with potassium and salt to make me not cramp up. My overall problem was I was always a huge water drinker, and I still am but thank heavens I don’t cramp anymore.
I’m an ex long distance runner and as a hiker have also spent long days walking in hot conditions. As a result I have studied a wide range of advice on hydration, over decades. This article is much better than most although there are a couple of issues. Firstly electrolytes from food are mentioned but we also get fluid from food. Also most research I have read acknowledges that although beer, coffee etc are diuretics the actual amount you consume particularly from tea and coffee can more than compensate for the diuretic factor. One constant in everything I have read is however, precisely what is said here in that over hydration can be as dangerous as under hydration. Despite this many personal trainers in gyms still advise constant drinking in gym sessions and even in winter many participants wander round with often tanker sized water containers. Basically I drink when I’m thirsty but do hydrate more if exercising in hot conditions. I drink water, tea, some ‘healthy’ drinks with natural ingredients but not colas, fruit juices etc. I don’t drink high sugar rubbish. At now 74 I still hike, walk a lot and do strength training 3 or 4 times a week and I have never had a hydration problem even running marathons in hot summer conditions.
My life revolved around availability of a toilet in 2020 when I felt I was supposed to drink half my weight in ounces of water. Literally, no drives in the country, I can’t walk in nature, I had to stay by a toilet to pee-out what I was drinking; it was 2020, no fast food lobby’s were opened. It was awful. I watched another article of yours where you poured water on a piece of meat with fat and said something like “I can pour water on this and the fat will not dissolve.” That has stuck with me so now here in 2022 (back on keto) I don’t do that to myself anymore. Thank you!
Back in college (late 80s), I went on a dodgy diet (Fit for Life.). I lost loads of weight eating mostly fruit and veg – much like now on keto/low carb, but with the addition of lots of fruit – and due to eating all that fruit/veg, I was never ever thirsty. Noticeably not thirsty. The thought of drinking water made me uncomfortable because I was so not thirsty. I think about those days a lot now since I’m back on a similar diet now.
The analogy I used to share with patients on this topic, was that over drinking water to your body was much like when it rains so much the ground becomes soaked and refuses to absorb water anymore. That 8 glasses a day idea was always a myth repeated by people because it sounded good who didn’t know anything about health in the first place.
I had a gallstone stuck in my bile duct for 4 days. I was puking everything up that entered my body. Needless to say I was dehydrated. Went to the ER 2 days in a row. 1st ER had no idea what they were looking for in my blood tests. Third day I went to another ER in a new hospital they did all the same tests and found liver enzymes and bilirubin in my blood. They gave me 5 IV fluid bags of water. I passed the stone over night while I was there and luckily was able to go home.
Thank you, many people don’t realize this. I use to be dehydrated all the time and at the same time my doctor was telling me I was drinking too much water and flushing out things my body needed. I could drink water (bottled spring water) all day and still feel thirsty. It wasn’t until I started drinking pressed coconut water that I didn’t feel dehydrated. I know it has some added sugar but, I have a very limited sugar intake anyway so for me it was a good trade off.
I wish more people would construct YouTube articles like yours. You begin with a pertinent question related to a life concern. In the “show more” section, you break down your article into parts with convenient links, Next, you give a brief, written synopsis of your article. You then give a brief bio about yourself. Your article is good too. Subscribed.
The body adjusts dramatically to increased physical activity, conserving water much more efficiently. As a kid, I watched this repeatedly in Springtime when logging crews first started out after Winter layover: Lots of water the first day, less the second, and by end of the third day, very little being drunk…by anyone. I’ve laughed silently at all the ‘8 bottles a day, minimum’ warnings ever since.
Back in the late 70s, my high school football coach almost killed me with those summer double practice sessions in the blazing heat. A few water breaks with no electrolytes and I was always on the verge of heatstroke, having to practice with a pounding headache- it truly felt like hell on Earth to me. Coupled with ankle and shoulder injuries that never had time to heal, it was a miserable experience and I’m constantly reminded when the arthritis flares up.
A brilliant explanation simple and to the point, I’m about to start my 30th season of 1st class Rugby and as I get older my body is now needing more body management the things I could get away with as a younger man never bother me now it’s all about reading the signals of dehydration and so on. Thank you, this has been very helpful
During a recent stay in hospital with a bacterial lung infection a blood analysis showed that I had hyponatremia (not enough sodium (Na)) contributing to my general weakness and fatigue. The lung surgeon restricted my water intake to 850ml per day. After a few days (very thirsty) my energy levels improved and I was on the mend. Doctor recommended not guzzling water but rather take TINY SIPS when thirsty. I now make sure to get enough sea salt every day and not too much water.
When I started ACV, IF, and Low-Carb I started NOT NEEDING as much water, so I drank a LOT LESS compared to when I eat whatever and whenever I felt. And yep, when I was a peak athlete I would absolutely stay away from Gatorade and such, because I could tell it was actually WORSE in how my body responded to it compared to water, it made you more thirsty, tired, etc. I found the best thing to do in a sports event is Water ONLY, and then for a pick-me-up in the middle/late of it to eat a couple of slices of Orange.
Thanks so much for your articles!!! I’ve been studying nutrition for years trying to keep up with my changing aging body and you have filled in so many gaps in my understanding, it’s awesome. It is such complex issue and thankfully we are beginning to recover our health from so many years of incomplete misinformation. Oh by the way the beard looks awesome dude, rock-on!
I always wondered why drinking tons of water never made me feel hydrated but taking a sports drink is the only thing that would help. I thought it was a sugar thing at first before I realised about electrolytes. I hadn’t thought about looking up finding electrolytes from other sources as I never saw any products like that.
Three years ago I was serious with IF. Doing it constantly and for long periods of time, I used to drink tons of water everyday, but it was causing my throat to ache. It was as if it was washing it really hard. I then heard this explanation and started adding a pinch of salt to my bottle of water. It was that simple, problem solved. You can actually tell the difference if though you don’t get a savory taste to the water, it is indeed hydrating you. Tap, mineral water, whatever, is not.
One of my first summer jobs as a teenager back in the mid-60’s was working at one of the famous drive-ins that’s well known for its root beer. I worked in all positions over the summer and learned a good work ethic. The one thing that I learned to do (and is imbedded in my brain to this day) was how to make a batch of root beer. Directly below the fountain dispensers in the basement were 2-50 gallon stainless steel vats which the root beer sat in. While one was in use, the other was prepared and readied to switch over when the other was almost empty. To make a batch of root beer, you’d fill with 50 gallons of water (to the fill line 3 inches below the rim) and then dump in a 25 lbs bag of SUGAR!!! Using a stainless steel mixing paddle, stroking up and down until all the 25 LBS OF SUGAR was throughly dissolved in the 50 gallons of water. Then pour in a 1 gallon bottle of root beer concentrate and mix throughly. Yes, your mental math is correct. THAT’S A 1/2 LBS OF SUGAR TO 1 GALLON OF WATER!!! Boy was I rudely awakened as to what really goes into making the beverage that I immediately stopped drinking them. Label laws back then were almost non-existent other than the ingredients panel based upon volume order. I’ve been a label reader ever since. I rarely drink sodas and sparingly (usually with a meal).
Am 77 have no health condition when I was young we drank lots of water because we were playing am not water drinker but drink liquid when I want to never thought about nothing but drink when I want eat what sleep when I want 🤔when I learn to listen to my body not people am happy and healthy ❤my doctor told me if all my patients were like you i be out of practice 😂lezrn to pray over everything before you put it in your mouth 😂 never complained about the food you eat 🙏🏾or drink.. God bless you all 🙏🏽 Smile be thankful 🙏🏾❤️
Concerning those eight glasses: I once read an article that you did indeed need to take in a certain amount of water. Or better, fluids. The misunderstanding is that this does nor mean you have to take in this amount of fluids by drinking from a glass or bottle. This amount of fluid, be it eight glasses, contains also the fluids from vegetables and fruit and from other kinds of food, things you eat. It contains also things you drink and everything in between eating and drinking. like yoghurt. There is some purist translation from amount to actual glasses. Same thing i saw happening in an advice to eat 30 kinds of vegetables in a week, to benefit your microbiome. When I looked for the scientific source I found it once was 30 kinds of plants. So peanuts are not a vegetable but so count for the 30 plants. The eight glasses probably are an exageration of the original advice. You can subtract all your coffee, tea, wine, yoghurt, smoothies, milkshakes, soup, gravy, salads, tomatoes, kiwi’s, oranges, pineapple etc.
I actually figured this out decades ago. It’s nice to see that a professional has said so, maybe more people will recognize when they are being misled. Btw, even though coffee is a diuretic, it is water. I drink straight black coffee day and night, with plain water a few times during the day. Laugh at me if you wish people, but this eight glasses of water a day nonsense began not long before they ramped up the water industry to get people to pay for more water. Ka-ching.
The myth of 8 glasses of H2O is just that. I’ve never been able to understand this concept or where it came from – made up by water companies, that’s all I can think of. We are mammals. My dog isn’t drinking 8 glasses a day. He drinks when he feels like it. Brilliant – bypassing the normal thirst mechanism. Very good advice. I drink one coffee and water when I feel like it – if anyone cares. 🙂
That WHOLE stupid water consumption IDEA actually was a huge factor in what killed my mother. Her useless doctors told her she needed to consume X amount water WHICH in turn her body COULD NOT process it and it put on something like 50+ ponds that she couldn’t lose. I told her EVERYDAY that she shouldn’t do it and that her millionaire doctors were WRONG. She trusted them with her life and she lost. I think ANYONE that tells you to consume mass amounts of water daily should be charged with an attempt to harm and I’m 100% serious about it, she passed away in 2012 because of it.
Honestly, for me this is the best article 2023; I always drink water when Im thristy and a good amount till my stomach says NO. I was not sure about my hydration preference – may or may not be healthy ; when i saw my gym friends moving around all day with a galoonwater bottle. thank you so much Dr. Berg,
Phew Dr Berg, what a relief. I hate drinking water and am hardly ever thirsty. I drink a green tea and glass of water with lemon in the morning and usually a couple of herbal teas throughout the day and eat fruit and vegetables. My skin is too dry though so I’m doing something wrong. Very helpful information, thanks as always for your kindness.
I watch these articles every day and appreciate the information. But, just a note….recently, I had to be taken to the ER due to dehydration. Not once did I get thirsty prior to this. Thirst is not always an indicator of needing fluids. Also, a question…for centuries, how did people replace electrolytes when they didn’t have access to electrolyte replacement drinks and powders?
I drink almost exclusively just water, a lot too i usually put ginger, lemon, cucumber and mint in my water, i probably drink about a gallon and a half a day and work as a Package handler sweating 4+ hours a day in a warehouse in Florida, I almost always pee clear and never feel dehydrated . I eat pretty clean and take a small amount of minerals and vitamins.
The healthiest way to stay hydrated is consuming fruits that have a lot in it. And I love how you point out too much water diluting sodium levels and other electrolytes can harm you severely. Most kidney/liver transplant elderly that I know, or dialysis patients, do not just drink water like other people – it can severely hurt them.
Excellent advice, all about the electrolyte balance 👍 👏 👌. Hymalayan salt 🧂, very small amount in my water has always had a very positive impact for me. Thank you for sharing this important information. Always felt more thirsty, and dreadful after drinking sports drinks. My body was always exhausted,and dehydrated after a very short period 😪. Natural spring water always seems to contain the electrolytes Scottish trail runners that drink this pure water intermittently that is naturally purified through granites, and ancient sea salts, have tremendous stamina!✨. Thank you Mr berg!✨ just confirming that, we already knew, and just forgotten!✨🏴🏴🇺🇲🌎🎓🤲xxxx
I drink at least one litre of water each year and my GP cannot believe it even though my wife has told him plainly that this is the case. I get my water from about 3 cups of tea each day and from my foods. I am 72 and as healthy as my companions who are 20+ years my junior. I do not drink soft drinks, alcohol nor electrolytes. Water from my food is my direct source of water.
Just an FYI for those addicted to sugar, know this. Once you’ve completely gotten away form sugar you loose the taste for it. But, also you are able to taste sugars on something you either forgot to read the label on or, someone slipped it to you.. Sugar is much more easy to identify as the poison it is. Everything taste so much better without it. Also, I dump ACV into my water. ACV, you will develop a taste for it like you’ve develop the taste for alcohol. In fact ACV might be a huge help for alcoholism if you need a strong drink… maybe 2 table spoons…
A question came to my mind during sleep….WHY do you drink water ALL day and even carrying BOTTLES o water around with you? I am over 70 and thinking back….NO ONE carried around water and no one had water sitting next to them All the time. I never saw my parents or grandparents worried about getting something to drink ALL day! In fact, thinking about it, carrying around something to drink all the time, unless you live in the dessert, is an ODD recent phenomenon.
Dr. Berg, I just came from the ER five hours ago… didn’t know I was severely dehydrated, I thought I was going to pass out. One minute I was on my way to the store and next felt woozy and flushed, my face turned red and felt like I was going to faint. I got to the hospital in time… I’m buying your electrolytes… Hopefully it can be delivered today! Thank you! 🙏🏽
My favourite thirst quencher is home made lemonade. I put entire lemons in a blender with water, blend, pour through a filter, and bottle and refrigerate. I get a good quality mineral water, and to 2 – 3 ounces lemon juice I top up a tumbler with min water and add a squirt of pure stevia extract. it’s delicious and satisfying.