-Isms: Views on life in rural America

Henry David Thoreau wrote, “I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man.”

But, did Thoreau consider how much water is too much or even too little?

A recent National Public Radio segment discussed the right level of water individuals should drink in a day.

Is eight cups enough? Too little? Just right? (I’m asking for a friend.) See, I, um my friend, has this ginormous water bottle - it’s been sitting on the desk since mid-August and hasn’t been used - and the message on the 64-ounce bottle encourages water consumption throughout the day.

Typically, I drink a 32-ounce iced tea or 16-ounce cold brew by 10 a.m. I “think” I drink 36 ounces of water or more throughout the rest of the day, although I’m sure there are times I don’t drink anywhere near that amount.

I bring up the amount because someone suggested drinking more water may ease the sciatica pain I’m experiencing. Is it possible I’m dehydrated?

Too much water can eliminate electrolytes, which may cause problems. Getting waterlogged can cause problems, too. It comes down to a water-salt balance and brain sensors that signal when it’s either time to drink or time to pee.

Dr. Tamara Hew-Butler, an associate professor of exercise and sports science, at Wayne State University, in Detroit, asserts the body tracks how much you need. Additional research studies report that individuals who drink less than a liter of H2O a day may have a faulty internal sensor.

Undoubtedly, as you age, that internal water meter may not pick up on your body’s needs. Laurie and I fought that battle with Dad, who would sip on a Dixie cup of water all day long and feel satiated. Trust me, he needed to drink more water.

According to Hew-Butler, our bodies signal thirst after approximately 2% fluid loss. Since approximately 60% of an average adult human’s body is comprised of water, adequate hydration is necessary. So, you guzzle a glass of water. If your job requires a high level of concentration, even mild dehydration can hinder performance, sour moods and drop alertness, according to a study published in “Nutrients,” a scientific journal.

According to The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, adult women should drink 91 ounces, or 11 cups, of cool clear water, while men should drink 15 cups, or 125 ounces.

Drinking water offers positive health benefits, including boosting brain health, aiding kidney function, lubricating joints, hiking metabolism, maintaining body temperature, moisturizing skin and boosting the immune system.

If water offers all those benefits, why wouldn’t you want to drink enough? Seems like Thoreau was right: water is a wise choice for a wise man and woman.

Otherwise, “we may never know the worth of water until the well runs dry.”