Recommended Consumption
Typical Recommendation
 There
is no magic number in prescribing the amount of water to consume
throughout the day. The optimal amount varies according to body
size, activity level, enviornmental factors, and diet. Drink
just enough water thoughout the day so your urine is clear. Drink
extra water before, during and after physical activity or being
exposed to higher temperatures. The goal is to drink before you
get thirsty.
If physical activity last longer than 90 minutes (eg: sports
competition), choose a sports drink with electrolytes. For even
longer durations, consider a beverage with electrolytes, carbohydrates
and protein or amino acids.
Alternative Recommendation
Dr Tim Noakes, MD, DSc, veteran of more than 70 marathons
and ultra marathons and author of Lore
of Running (2003) makes the following recommendations:
- Drink according to your thirst, your body will tell what
it needs.
- Dehydration will not contribute in any way to any illnesses
associated with prolonged exercise including marathon, ultramarathons,
and triathlons.
- There is no need to increase sodium above what your appetite
dictates, even during exercise.
- If you are carbohydrate adapted, you should ingest some carbohydrates
to optimize your performance during prolonged competitive events.
He concludes:
- Understand that much of what you believe about your personal
well-being is the result of targeted manipulations by industries
whose principal focus is their commercial fitness and not necessarily
your health or safety.
Noakes T (2012). Waterlogged,
The Serious Problem of Overhydration in Endurance Sports.
Water Intoxication
Hyponatramia, or water intoxication is a potentially fatal
condition caused by consuming too much water. Excessive water
consumption causes low sodium levels in the blood. Symptoms may
include nausea, muscle cramps, comma, and even death. A runner
died from the condition following the 2002 Boston Marathon. Another
runner was in a comma for 4 days following a marathon in Jamaica.
Effects of Dehydration
Dehydration of 3% of bodyweight can cause a 10% strength loss
and 8% speed loss.
Water Temperature
Cold water is absorbed faster in the body; sugar slows absorption.
Effect on Metabolic Rate
Drinking 500 ml of water increased metabolic rate by 30% in
healthy, normal-weight subjects. The increase of metabolic rate
occurred within 10 min and reached a maximum after 30-40 min.
About 40% of the thermogenic effect originated from warming the
water from 22 to 37 C. The total thermogenic response was about
24 Calories. It was estimated that drinking 2 liters of water
per day would augment energy expenditure by approximately 96
Calories.
Boschmann M, Steiniger J, Hille U, Tank J, Adams F, Sharma
AM, Klaus S, Luft FC, Jordan J. (2003). Water-induced thermogenesis.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 88(12):6015-9.
Also see Foods that May Aid
in Fat Loss.
|
|
