Quote:
Originally Posted by Aoife
Are you over-consuming water? Or under-consuming sodium?
I'm actually curious.
Drinking water, usually more than that mythical "average american" drinks is beneficial in many ways. So if you're finding that your sodium (or any other electrolyte) levels are too low, why is cutting back on water preferred over consuming more salt?
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Actually when blood sodium levels are low it is more likely to be from too much water than not enough salt. Unless someone is on a severely salt restricted diet and going out of their way to avoid salt, you will get enough from food. The problems arise from dysfunction in the body's fluid regulation system and in many cases there is no apparent reason for this dysfunction (i.e. disease) behind this. It just happens... and drinking too much water exaccerbates it.
As to benefits of water--there was recently an article debunking the whole "8 glasses of water a day" rule that you read so often so who knows if there truly are benefits. I know personally, I like to drink a lot of water, I just feel better when I do. I am having to make a concious effort to cut back. Still drinking more than the average person, but not as much as I had been.