Drinking water is neccesary for our body because you need a amount of moisture to make sure all of the processes in your body (like your digestion, for example) run smoothly. However, it’s important to drink enough of it.
You can drink water throughout the day, but in these exceptional cases you should leave that glass of water to the side.
1. When you’ve already had a lot of water
Because, yes, there is such a thing as drinking too much water. When you drink too much of the clear liquid, you can disturb the balance of the natural salt in your body. This can cause a sodium deficiency, which can lead to headaches, nausea and even epileptic seizures.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. When you’re doing a super-intense workout for a long period of time
When you sweat, you lose sodium and potassium. Both of these are very important, which means you need to replenish them. You won’t find them in regular tap water or spring water, though. Luckily, the wonder of coconut water exists: it contains everything you need after an intense workout. You could also drink mineral water, because this contains more salt than spring water.
5. When you’ve just had a big meal
Have you just had a big meal? Then it’s best to refrain from drinking water for a little while. Water fills the stomach, which can make your stomach feel bloated if you drink it directly after eating a lot of food. Rather, wait until your food has settled down a bit before drinking that glass of water.
References: prevention.com, tips-and-tricks.co
