Water metabolism

[sircantaloupe]

In the last year I've developed a habit of ... conscious hydration, I guess you could say. I tend to drink around 4-5 liters of water daily. Some days I don't and I can feel a difference in my mental and physical sense of well-being.

Assuming I'm thrown into a crisis situation where my water supplies are extremely limited, say to a half liter a day. Would I be in more trouble than an average guy who is used to getting by on 1L a day? Does the human body rapidly adjust for much lower water intake, or does it keep excreting water on the assumption that more is coming along?

 

[ROCK6]

I don't think so. If you're active and your body is getting enough water on a daily basis, your body will be much healthier and efficient. When a stressful situation comes along, your body will better be able to handle it, even if not operating at maximum efficiency. Those that are already running at less optimum efficiency will stress their bodies even further. Your cells will be at maximum potential vice being more stressed with less water on a daily basis. I think it's a prudent habit to keep your body as healthy as possible because it will handle crisis and stress much better and much longer than the alternative.

Hope that helps...keep hydrating!

ROCK6

 

[omniviking]

your body is 70% water, if you kep your tank full it seems to me it would be better than hitting a bump in he road with a low tank. If you had to go a day or few with low or no water intake I wouldn't want start half way dried out.

 

[gadgetgeek]

I have been told by medical professionals that your body does start to adapt to less water intake, but none of the adaptations are helpful, your body is in survival mode, just like it is hard to loose weight on a starvation diet, you body tries to reduce how much water is lost, so you sweat less therefore being less able to function, and your kidneys reduce urine output, which means the urine is more concentrated and more damaging to you. plus ups the risk of stones. I figure stay healthy and hydrated and you'll get your three days when the water is gone, try to harden your body and you won't get through the first one. also maintaining your electrolyte balance is very important, that will do you in before you dry out if you get far enough out of the ideal range, plus or minus.

 

[jw2n]

Not so much to do quantity, but I understand that the efficiency of the bodys ability to absorb water is dependent on the H20's temp. I do not remember the exact figures, but water consumed at 70 degrees is far better absorbed at the cellular level as opposed to say 95.