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As we age our "thirst response" becomes less reliable. I really don't get thirsty until I am starting to become dehydrated. It's good to have a guideline to inf

by krunck 3y ago

As we age our "thirst response" becomes less reliable. I really don't get thirsty until I am starting to become dehydrated. It's good to have a guideline to inform my self-imposed daily drinking regimen.(which I have a hard time keeping)

JohnFen 3y ago
Also, I've found, temperature can have a huge influence. I like to do winter camping in the middle of nowhere in the mountains. I was surprised to discover that when I'm in freezing conditions like that, I simply won't feel thirsty -- apparently ever -- so I set a timer to remind me to drink. I learned this the hard way on the third day of my first such trip, when my urine had become brown due to dehydration.
nyrikki 3y ago
It is probably best to follow real information then. Note that while your thirst response may be declining as you age, mine hasn't. Annicdodes aren't data, mine or yours. IMHO the 8x8 myth may or may not be optimal guidelines for you as they aren't based on anything but rumors.
- yencabulator 3y ago
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirst#Elderly https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirst#Elderly > Several studies have demonstrated that elderly persons have lower total water intakes than younger adults, and that women are particularly at risk of too low an intake.
kmoser 3y ago
It's not just aging that makes us bad at noticing when we're dehydrated. The ubiquity of so many types of foods has given us the ability to satisfy the craving for that which stimulates our senses, not necessarily what we need. I know this is anecdotal, but I've heard so many people tell me that they skip meals because they simply "forgot to eat." Do you think those people remembered to drink water? I don't think so. So, yes, people tend to be terrible at noticing what they need, and when they do notice they are terrible about doing something about it.
- amanaplanacanal 3y ago
  Looking at the folks around me, skipping an occasional meal seems like the least of our problems.

by krunck 3y ago

JohnFen 3y ago

Also, I've found, temperature can have a huge influence. I like to do winter camping in the middle of nowhere in the mountains. I was surprised to discover that when I'm in freezing conditions like that, I simply won't feel thirsty -- apparently ever -- so I set a timer to remind me to drink. I learned this the hard way on the third day of my first such trip, when my urine had become brown due to dehydration.

nyrikki 3y ago

It is probably best to follow real information then. Note that while your thirst response may be declining as you age, mine hasn't. Annicdodes aren't data, mine or yours. IMHO the 8x8 myth may or may not be optimal guidelines for you as they aren't based on anything but rumors.

yencabulator 3y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirst#Elderly https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirst#Elderly > Several studies have demonstrated that elderly persons have lower total water intakes than younger adults, and that women are particularly at risk of too low an intake.

kmoser 3y ago

It's not just aging that makes us bad at noticing when we're dehydrated. The ubiquity of so many types of foods has given us the ability to satisfy the craving for that which stimulates our senses, not necessarily what we need. I know this is anecdotal, but I've heard so many people tell me that they skip meals because they simply "forgot to eat." Do you think those people remembered to drink water? I don't think so. So, yes, people tend to be terrible at noticing what they need, and when they do notice they are terrible about doing something about it.

amanaplanacanal 3y ago
Looking at the folks around me, skipping an occasional meal seems like the least of our problems.