Thirst Myth So much water we have to drink

That the human body needs enough fluid to stay healthy is not an issue. However, it is disputed how much you really should drink during the day: Is one liter sufficient or should it be three and can you drink the right amount at once? Experts explain myths about thirst.

Fluid loss leads to physical and mental discomfort
The question of how much water per day is really healthy, argue experts and laymen for a long time. It is known that fluid loss can lead to physical and mental discomfort. Concentration disorders, dry mouth, tiredness, loss of appetite or constipation, for example, can occur. But when is the amount of fluid really too low? Is it possible to drink too much? May you drink the recommended amount at once?

Myth about thirst: How much should we drink? Picture: Hyrma / fotolia

Balance two and a half liters of fluid loss during the day
"The absolute lower limit is one liter per day," said Silke Restemeyer from the German Nutrition Society (DGE) in the tablet magazine of the "Apotheken Umschau elixier". According to other experts, people excrete about 2.5 liters of water per day through sweating and metabolic processes. To compensate for the loss, an adult should drink about one and a half liters daily. The remaining amount of fluid is absorbed by the food. In heat and thus increased perspiration it may also be quiet three liters or more.

Do not drink everything at once
It would be wrong to drink the recommended amount in the morning and then stop worrying about it. Especially in hot temperatures, during sports or physical work, the motto is not to drink everything at once. Otherwise, there is a risk that the sodium content in the blood could temporarily fall sharply. In addition, the short-term memory can be affected by several hours of liquid abstinence. Silke Restemeyer therefore advises that you should always have a bottle of water handy for tasks that require high concentration. It should also be remembered that it is also possible to drink too much. According to the doctors, heart, kidney and liver patients in particular should be careful, since the weakened organs are overwhelmed with too much water. Patients should definitely check with their doctor what amount they should take during the day.

Warm drinks refresh better
Especially now in the summer, many refresh themselves with cold drinks. These seem to quench your thirst the quickest, but in fact they only let the thirsty feeling fade away. With hot drinks, not only is the cooling effect proven to be stronger, but one also avoids stomach problems that can occur with cold drinks. On caffeine and alcoholic and sugary drinks should rather be dispensed with. Ideal for thirst quenching are mineral and drinking water as well as unsweetened herbal and fruit teas and fruit juice spritzers.

Pay attention to your own thirst
What's also interesting for athletes is that studies have shown that heart rate and blood pressure return to normal faster at short drinking intervals. Scientifically proven is that the human body can process a maximum of one liter of liquid per hour. The intake should therefore be made in small portions and swallowing. If in doubt, your own feeling of thirst is the best guide and can reliably protect against dehydration, said DGE expert Restemeyer. However, if this gets too strong, it's better to see a doctor, because it could also be a symptom of diabetes. (Ad)