Usually,
you can’t go wrong with water! It keeps us hydrated, helps us avoid
overeating, and could even burn extra calories. But, like with many of
your healthiest habits, more isn’t always better, even when it comes to
water. Believe it or not, there are a few times when you really
shouldn’t drink water.
1. When you already chugged a bunch
If
you chug enough to dilute your body’s natural balance of salt, you can
become too low in sodium, a condition known as hyponatremia. Endurance
athletes, for example, may be tempted to keep on sipping all throughout a
marathon (or after), leading to cell swelling that can cause nausea,
vomiting, seizures, and even death. Hyponatremia can also be caused by
certain issues with the liver, kidney, heart, or pituitary gland.
2. When you ate a big meal
It’s
one of the simplest ways to cut back on a few calories: Drink a glass
of water before a meal (or when a craving strikes) and you’ll naturally
eat a little bit less since that fluid is already taking up space in
your fist-sized stomach. But for the very same reason, drinking too much
water before or during a heavy meal can lead to discomfort. Drinking
more water may only leave you feeling even more bloated.
3. When your pee is clear
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. 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
We
lose electrolytes, like potassium and sodium, through sweat. If you’re
seriously sweating it out, you’ll need to replace those crucial
nutrients, which aren’t found in plain water. Rather than a sugary
sports drink, though, you may be able to get the same boost from coconut
water, which is naturally high in potassium, magnesium, sodium, and
vitamin C without as many calories and with more fiber.
5. When the water has a not-so-sweet secret
No
one wants to drink regular water when there are all these flavored
bottled varieties to choose from. But flavored waters often rely on
zero-calorie sweeteners to add a little something to the plain 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.
