Is a gallon of water too much in one day? People just don't seem to believe that I've made a healthy choice when they see me carrying my gallon jug around. I want to show everyone that there is research out there supporting my decision.
It is believed that in a healthy person, their kidneys can excrete a little under a liter of water per hour. Hyponatremia, which is commonly called water intoxication, means that there is less salt in your body than is needed in relevance to the amount of water. When the ratio of water to salt is not standard, certain bodily functions cannot be carried out (this can mean there is too little salt, or too much (dehydration)). For the body to be considered hyponatremic, there must be more water taken into the body than can be excreted in a certain amount of time.
I would have to drink an entire gallon in less than 4 hours to cause hyponatremia.
Mind you, I only want to drink 3.8 liters (one gallon) in 24 hours. Okay, we'll say in about 16 hours, I like to sleep (and not drink) for a few hours a day.
What factors increase your recommended water intake per day? Exercise (intensity, duration, frequency), health (pre-existing conditions, kidney failure) gender, environment (high altitude, high temp/humidity), pregnancy or breast-feeding http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256?pg=2
What is Hyponatremia? http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyponatremia/basics/definition/con-20031445
What are the benefits of drinking a gallon a day? http://www.livestrong.com/article/424740-what-are-the-benefits-of-drinking-a-gallon-of-water-a-day/
No, I am not a doctor, and no, I don't think it is absolutely the safest thing for someone to drink a gallon of water every day if they are not used to it. But under my circumstances, in my state, I believe it is not unsafe to have a goal of drinking a gallon of water every day. I don't do it every day, I probably only actually get the whole thing finished off 2-3 times a week.
Like I said before, I live in south Georgia - it is HOT. I'm the type of person who will take the stairs up 3 floors instead of jumping in an elevator. I workout hard and for about 45-60 minutes at least 3 days a week. Weightlifting, cardio, tabata, plyometrics, etc. And, I don't avoid salty foods.
Katie
