To think that a lot of people don't drink enough water?

[Chocolatefreak]

Not the most riveting subject but I think it unknowingly causes a lot of health problems, particularly in the older generation. For example, I know several people of my parent's age who have had kidney issues; repeated infections, cystitis, stones, etc. Spending time with people of my parents' and grandparents' generation I've noticed the tiny amount of water they drink compared to the amount younger generations do. My grandmother used to avoid drinking water to avoid needing the loo and unsurprisingly often felt dizzy and sick in the morning. When I remind them, my parents reluctantly serve water with meals (in almost shot-sized glasses!) and consider it to be a chore, when they'd much rather get stuck straight into the wine. My mother hydrates exclusively on tea, coffee and alcohol. As a child I had incredibly dry hair and skin which I'm wondering now was probably due to constant dehydration.

Has anyone else noticed this and why are we drinking more water now? Is it because it's been successfully marketed (mineral water and reusable drinking bottles) or because people are more aware of the benefits? If so, why only in the last few years? I rarely go out without water.

I'm rubbish at drinking enough

By midlife or older, it is easy to see who hydrates with coffee and wine, and not with water, also those who only drink fizzy drinks or cola. It shows up on the face.

I drink about 3 coffees and 3 teas in the day then usually a glass of water with my evening meal. Very little plain water otherwise. Especially at this time of year when I just want hot drinks all the time.

I'm plenty hydrated. My wee is very pale yellow as it should be.

Citations?

@thegreencomet

Never showed on my granny or nanny and they were prolific tea drinkers (although not wine). They were very fresh faced. It’s genetic. Your skin will look crap if you’re dehydrated but you won’t be dehydrated if you drink a lot of tea.

Does it matter if you drink your water a full glass at a time or if you sip it throughout the day? I used to drink one big glass every 2-3 hours during the day but nothing really in-between and someone - I think a PT at the gym - told me that was no good as my body would just wee it all out as it couldn't 'use' it all at once and it was better to drink the same amount but sip it during the day.

Is that right or have I been led up the garden path?

I think people see/taste the drink when it goes into their mouth and think that's what their body is dealing with, in isolation to anything else they consume. They don't think through to the next stage in the process and remember that everything gets churned up and the body absorbs different elements at different stages.

Why am I not resoundingly youthful? I'm surgically attached to my water bottle. I want a refund.

Tea is fine, in fact good. Coffee, not so much for skin colour and tone.

I barely ever drank water until my 20s and probably not enough fluids generally. I remember being really thirsty as a kid, particularly at school. Started drinking water in my 20s and feel so much better for it.

I drink about 10 glasses a day, I've always drunk loads of water even as a young teen. Never had any spots but I don't think it's connected just chance.

I agree my grandma only drinks tea and I think she must be so dehydrated. But then equally I do query whether we now drink too much water.

When I am at home for the day I drink lots and lots of tea and I feel great.

At work I try not to drink anything (teaching). I often end up with a bad headache but there’s never time to go for a wee. I feel so much better when I’m at home and drinking tea.

If I'm out and about I'll drink free water provided in a cafe with my food and if not buy a bottle of water. What's wrong with that? Is it more virtuous to buy a bottle of Coca Cola?

In a cross-sectional survey conducted in 131 healthy Japanese females, a significant correlation was found between coffee consumption and a decrease in pigmented scores but not in wrinkling scores [1]. However, in two other studies in a Mediterranean population, no correlation was found between coffee consumption and wrinkling or solar elastosis; pigmentation was not evaluated [2], [3].

It could be the lack of caffeine giving you headaches is you usually have a lot. My mum got rotten headaches if she missed a couple of her (seemingly endless) cuppas.

I'll give you a tingle when I complete my peer-reviewed study. Personal observation in a large cohort of women, mostly 60 and over, up to 93.

It's more of an observation of generational social norms rather than a direct criticism of my parents, however I admit it does frustrate me rather when they don't accept that any of their health issues are connected with their lifestyle.

@Chocolatefreak

I suspect that your parents issues are down to the alcohol intake. My granny lived until 97 and she only ever drank tea. She was never far from a freshly brewed teapot. She used to call water a load of shite. She never drank alcohol though.

I definitely don't drink enough water! Make a conscious effort to make sure the toddler drinks plenty but forget about myself!

I have a coffee in the morning but that's about it. I just forget, and I don't ever seem to feel thirsty. The urge to drink just isn't there, so I don't think about it, so I don't drink!

Not exactly the topic of the thread, but I read recently that you should actually avoid drinking water with meals because it dilutes your gastric juices and makes digestion less efficient?! No idea if this is true. I do know that the 8 glasses 'rule' has been debunked, which makes sense as it seems clear that everyone's mileage will vary. I have a 750ml water bottle and if I get through that in a day along with a couple of decaf teas and coffees I feel fine (unless exercising). To be honest, in the winter I don't really get thirsty at all.

@HiccupHorrendousHaddock

Yes possibly but it’s not great not to drink anything all day so it’s probably just that. I do have one cup of tea before work. Teaching is hazardous to your health in many ways.

I can't eat a meal without having a drink, usually water, as I have oesophagitis and some dry food gets horribly stuck in my throat.

Our ancestors survived for generations in a world where drinking water was often contaminated. People did drink water but drinking small beer, milk, ale and cider was often safer (although not particularly healthy on a grand scale), as the fermentation process killed any micro organisms.
When tea drinking became fashionable in the UK, mortality rates dropped. As the process of boiling water made the tea safer to drink.
Humans have survived for millenia, without drinking eight glasses of water a day.
Infact, milk is more hydrating than water. As the protein, Fats and lactose in it, help to retain it in the body for longer.

OP you are completely right!

I think a lot of people are missing your point, you’re saying it’s frustrating to see how they can get unwell due to dehydration and not complete the easy fix of drinking some bloody water!

I can’t count the amount of people I work with over 50 that won’t drink enough (yes, even tea!) and complain they’re lethargic and have headaches.