Can you drink more than 8 glasses of water a day?

[smoothninja]

When i drink more than 8 glasses of water a day my skin looks more clearer and healthier and i have more energy. But i'm wondering if drinking more than 8 glasses is too much and can be harmful?

[Reddr]

First: The 8, 8 oz glasses a day thing is a myth created by a water company. We get most of our water from the foods we eat.

It is possible to drink too much water. It will deplete your electrolytes (sodium, magnesium, potassium) by peeing and sweating them out. You will get very sick before it kills you though. I've experienced this myself. I drank almost 3 gallons of water in a day and was on an elliptical for 2 hours. You vomit, you feel terrible and can barely move when this happens. Luckily I had the sense to realize what happened and got my sodium back up with Ritz crackers. Almost instant cure. Gatorade or Pedialyte will also fix this.

The rule I use for water intake is half your body weight in oz. I personally think this works a lot better than the general 8 glasses rule because all people are different sizes. With this if you weigh 150 lbs then you need 75 oz of water a day or slightly more than 9 (8 oz) glasses of water.

[COCOCHANEL]

why did you drink almost 3gal in a day?

[Reddr]

@COCOCHANEL
I have a water bottle with me at all times that i constantly refill because I compulsively drink when it is in front of me (can be really bad when drinking alcohol.) That particular day I drank a lot out of impulse while studying plus drank a lot at the gym.

[COCOCHANEL]

i see :0

[THE_Godfather]

You're right about too much water. I had to take a friend of my from the gym to the hospital because he drank too much water. I'm not sure what they did for him.

[moistycakes]

It is possible to drink more but it serves no real benefit. When your urine is completely clear it means that the body is over ridden by water and is trying to expel it all. How much water you need depends on a lot of factors.
-The energy you're exerting
-The climate in which you live in
-How big/small your body is

[Flex4Ever]

Only if you drink like two gallons of water a day and don't eat salty foods, that's when it'll get dangerous. Eat normally and don't drink excessive amounts of water, you'll be fine.

[l3lake]

About 2l a day is good, during summer you should be going up to 3.
If you're training, lifting or doing any kind of exercise you should tend to drink more.

[Anonymous]

How much water you need depends on a lot of things.
If you're in a hot climate you'll need more water then you would in a cool climate.
If you're really big you'll drink more water then people that are smaller then you.
If you workout a lot you'll need more water then if you spent all day on the couch.

Drink as much water as you're thirsty for.

If you're getting really thirsty like drinking from the garden hose thirsty, and no amount of water seems to satisfy you go to the doctor.

Otherwise drink as much as you like, it's good for you.

[COCOCHANEL]

i drink 2 litres a day and i think it's a good amount

[TJ-Laser]

i have a 2 litre bottle of water that i drink from and i get through at least 2 of them every day.

[Cmasterson]

It can be harmful, but if you're body needs it then it needs it!

[Samm64]

It shouldn't be harmful as long as you're not drinking over like 3 litres a day you'll be fine :)

[Jaden69]

i drink like 7 litres or more daily. I don't know how many glasses that is

[Complicated-Soul]

I can't. I forget sometimes.

[ChocoLada]

Yes I can, about 10-12 glasses

[DamnCurtis]

Probably. I always have a bottle on hand.