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THERESA: Good news for health-conscious coffee lovers. Apparently we don't need to guzzle water all day long to stay properly hydrated. We can enjoy a cup of joe instead! Jane Brody's column this week in the New York Times points to a new study from Johns Hopkins University that indicates we can let our thirst guide us as to how much water we need, and we can count coffee, juice and other beverages as part of our daily allotment. While the caffeine in coffee is a diuretic, it does not lead to a deficiency of body water, the study concluded. So if you feel guilty because you don't drink eight full glasses of H20 a day (and who really drinks that much?) just enjoy another cup of coffee!
(Nothing wrong with drinking a lot of water, of course. Brody notes that drinking lots of water can help with weight loss, since water fills you up and improves digestion.)
The same study examined salt and potassium intake, and reported (predictably) that Americans eat way too much salt. Most of us need to up our consumption of potassium, which can help to lower blood pressure, blunt the effects of all that salt we're eating, and reduce the risk of kidney stones and bone loss. Good sources of potassium include spinach, cantaloupe, almonds, brussels sprouts, mushrooms, bananas, oranges and orange juice, grapefruits and potatoes, dried fruits, peanut butter, bran, meats, dried beans, peas, tea, cocoa, and (yay!) coffee.
Starbucks, anyone?
APRIL: I just can't say how happy this makes me. I knew I was destined to drink two granda mochas guilt free each day. I love it!
During the summer, I have zero problem drinking tons of water, but during the winter that is replaced by my hot chocolate and coffee cold weather addictions...
YVONNE W: This site is dedicated to educating the reader on the value of water and how much your water intake should be for the day taking into account your activity level.
For instance: Calculating "my weight and exercise activity today" I should drink 72 ounces of water or 7 1/2 glasses. Check it out!
LAURIE: I'm relieved too, April! I drink a fair amount of water but never feel like I'm getting the 15 gallons a day or whatever it is the "experts" recommend. Especially in the morning, it's nice to know that coffee counts. Still, I do want to get enough liquid? Does anybody know what the signs are that you should be drinking more? (Um, and that's NOT more adult beverages!)
THERESA: From Brody's column: "How can you tell if you are getting enough water? Clearly, if you are thirsty, you need to drink more. Likewise, if your skin is shriveled, if you are prone to muscle cramps or if you are chronically constipated, chances are you are not drinking enough."
YVONNE: Don't mean to be a pisser, but nothing clears out the toxins like clear water. And if I am not mistaken, coffee is highly toxic. The easy way to get all your water in is to keep the water bottle within reach. You'll find yourself grabbing for it all day long. And the way you know if you are getting enough water is if your urine is clear.
THERESA: Hmm. I keep waiting for the study that shows coffee is going to shorten my lifespan, but I haven't seen it. Doesn't seem like it should be good for you, but I haven't seen evidence that it's bad either. And I love it. So I'll keep drinking it. Guilt-free. I drink a lot of water too (I especially like sparkling water) and tea, so I think I'm plenty hydrated...
ELLEN: I can tell that I haven’t had enough water when I get highly fatigued for no apparent reason. Once I get back on the water schedule, I feel more alert.
B>LAURIE: Ellen, what's your water schedule?
ELLEN: I am on my high-water regime because I’m trying to drop a few pounds. I wish I was this good all the time because I just feel better. But here’s what I am doing right now.
My husband gets two flats of bottled water when he does the weekly grocery shopping. He puts these near the back door for me.
I get up in the morning and drink two 8-ounce bottles of water. When I go to the gym twice a week, I put these bottles in the car and I drink one on the way there and one on the way home.
On most days, I put two in the car as I head to work. I drink one on the way to work. I drink the remaining one on the way home.
I stash two bottles of water in my office and sneak bottles of water out of any meeting I see that offers refreshments. So that means I drink another two during the day in the office.
If I got out to lunch, I drink the water first then whatever beverage I order.
I usually have a cup of coffee in the morning and I just love to have a diet Coke with lunch. I’m trying to wean myself of the Diet Coke but I do love the new lemon and lime-flavored versions.
I try to drink a cup of water from our filtered water tap at home before bed. And I put a bottle of water next to my bed and drink about half of it during the night.
And I realize that this isn’t as much as I should be drinking but this is as good as it gets!
I fill an emptied gallon of milk (fat-free) with water daily and drink at least that. My problem is, I also keep a jug of water by my bed at night and consume most of that. Does getting up several times during the night to go to the bathroom considered excercise?
Posted by: R.C. on February 18, 2004 07:23 AMThere's an interesting parallel story to this topic in the news today. Should water be included in the new food pyramid? It wasn't until I became interested in fitness that I began to understand the importance of drinking lots of water even when I'm not working out.
Why not raise the general public's awareness by listing it on the food pyramid?
Posted by: Gloria on February 18, 2004 01:24 PMAlong those same lines, I fear what the repercussions of such a study just may be, even more so hearing some of the comments. There was actually a study I read about 2 years ago which was exclusively on caffine effects, and while it did find that it does not cause dehydration, but it had a tendency to negate the fluid of the drink consumed. Basically meaning, drink the coffee guilt free, but don't count it towards the liquid count. Personally, I find if I actually exchange some water intake for soda intake, I'll start showing signs of dehydration. But if I maintain the water intake, the occasional pop won't make a difference.
It's actually always been known (Yes, even the food pyramid guys knew this years ago) that drinks such as juice, milk, and even food counted towards the average water intake for hydration. The two main reason for pushing the water for hydration, though, has always been 1)easy way to keep track to be sure and 2) most importantly for calorie sake. Unless you take your coffee straight black, each cup will count towards your daily calorie count. If women are to actually eat as few as 1600 calories a day (as the other article stated) and yet have an intake of all the recommended vitamins, we seriously cannot afford to waste the calories on a cup of coffee loaded with cream and sugar.
Some early signs of dehydration include the darker urine, light headiness (Especially during exercise), and bloating (Puffiness).
And last but not least, did you know that cutting out caffiene and increasing water intake can seriously cut down on PMS symptoms? Give it a try! About a week before symptoms appear, increase water intake to close to 100 ounces a day and cut at least 1 cup of coffee or soda a day. I usually notice less bloating, thanks to the water, and a lot less irritablility due to less caffiene.
Posted by: Midlife on February 18, 2004 11:20 PMI drink about 2 liters/day, which is right on with the Hydration Calculator. I find if I don't drink at least that much I am lethargic and more apt to get a urinary tract infection. I love coffee, but I don't count that toward my water intake.
By the way, thanks Girlfriends for the t-shirt. It fits great!
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