While drinking water daily plays an important role in maintaining good health, believe it or not, there are several instances when NOT to drink water. The latest guidelines from the Institute of Medicine recommend that most women consume about 91 ounces—that’s about 9 cups of water a day. Men on the other hand need a bit more — about 125 ounces (or 13 cups) a day. Keep in mind, this count includes other beverages like coffee, tea and milk. So, when is it NOT the ideal time to chug water?
When you’ve already topped off.
If you drink too much water, you can deplete your body’s natural balance of salt. When your body becomes too low in sodium, you can develop a condition called hyponatremia, or “water intoxication.” When this happens, your water levels rise – in turn, causing your cells to swell. Fortunately, treating the condition can be as simple as keeping an eye on your water intake.
When your pee is crystal clear.
How do you know when you’ve had enough to drink (water that is)? Your urine will appear light yellow in color. If your pee pee is crystal clear, experts suggest you may be overhydrated. Meanwhile, darker yellow shades suggest you’re not meeting daily recommendations.
You’ve got a ‘food baby.’
In other words, you had a bit too much to eat. In fact, drinking too much water before or after a large meal can cause bloating and discomfort.
When you’re working out for a long period.
When you participate in intense exercise, for long periods of time, your body is depleted of crucial nutrients like potassium and sodium. Because water alone cannot replace these electrolytes, experts suggest opting for a drink like coconut water which is rich in magnesium, sodium, vitamin C and potassium, in addition to fiber.
When the water is loaded with sweeteners.
We get it: flavored water is more appealing. Unfortunately, the downside to chugging down on sugary sports drinks is that they rely on zero-calorie sweeteners which lead to increased hunger and often weight gain.
Meanwhile, the best times to drink water are as follows:
After you rise and shine.
Drink one glass of water to jumpstart your internal organs and purge your body of any toxins before your first meal of the day.
Before each meal.
Drink one glass of water 30 minutes before a meal to help digestion. Remember not to drink too soon before or after a meal as the water will dilute the digestive juices. Drink water an hour after the meal to allow the body to absorb the nutrients.
Before you slumber.
Drink one glass of water an hour before bedtime to replenish any fluid loss that can occur during the night.
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