By Sarah Klein, Prevention
Usually, you can't go wrong with H2O. It keeps us hydrated (obviously), helps us avoid overeating, and could even burn extra calories.
But, like with many of your healthiest habits, more isn't always
better, even when it comes to water. Believe it or not, there are a few
times when you should back off the bubbler.
When you already chugged a bunch
[post_ads]It's incredibly rare, but it's possible to
drink so much water you put your health at risk. If you chug enough to
dilute your body's natural balance of salt, you can become too low in
sodium, a condition known as hyponatremia. Endurance athletes,
for example, may be tempted to keep on sipping all throughout a
marathon (or after), leading to cell swelling that can cause nausea,
vomiting, seizures, and even death. (Here's how much water to drink every day, plus 4 other healthy habits you've got all wrong.)
Hyponatremia can also be caused by certain issues with the liver, kidney, heart, or pituitary gland, says integrative physician Taz Bhatia, MD, as well as by certain medications, like diuretics, antidepressants, and pain medications.
When your pee is clear
So how do you know when enough water is enough? Forget that old "8 glasses a day" rule and instead take a look in the toilet.
If you see a light lemonade shade, you’ve reached optimal hydration
status. If you see only clear urine in the bowl, you can probably cut
back your water intake a smidge. Darker yellows can be a sign it’s time
to get sipping.
When you ate a big meal
It's one of the simplest ways to cut back on a
few calories: Drink a glass of water before a meal (or when a craving
strikes) and you'll naturally eat a little bit less since that fluid is
already taking up space in your fist-sized stomach.
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But for the very
same reason, drinking too much water
before or during a heavy meal can lead to discomfort. "Drinking more
water may only leave you feeling even more bloated," Bhatia says. (Never
diet again and still lose weight with this plan that naturally retrains your fat cells to shed belly fat!)
When you’re doing a super-intense workout for a long period of time
[post_ads]We lose electrolytes, like potassium and
sodium, through sweat. If you're seriously sweating it out, you'll need
to replace those crucial nutrients, which aren't found in plain water.
Rather than a sugary sports drink, though, you may be able to get the
same boost from coconut water, which is naturally high in potassium, magnesium, sodium, and vitamin C without as many calories and with more fiber.
When the water has a not-so-sweet secret
We get it: No one wants to drink regular water when
there are all these fancy flavored bottled varieties to choose from.
But flavored waters often rely on zero-calorie sweeteners to add a
little something something to the plain ol' water taste.
Because these sweeteners
have been linked to increased hunger and even weight gain in some
studies, commercially available flavored waters might do you more harm
than good. Instead, try adding your own flavor to tap water by tossing in lemon, lime, cucumber, watermelon, berries, or even herbs.
