Sodium + Water = Drink less water?

Stupid STUPID question, I’m sure. I know that the more sodium you intake, the more water you retain. So does that mean that I should drink less when I have a higher sodium intake?

Sodium aside, if you do not drink enough water your body will want to hold onto it because the body thinks it is in “drought mode”. Now bring in the sodium and things get worse. If you aren’t going to drop your sodium intake, then I would increase water consumption even more.

Everybody says 8 glasses a day but from what I understand, there are no studies. It was just a guesstimate but now everyone quotes it. The actual amount depends upon all sorts of factors. I drink double the “recommended” amount.

Try a salt substitute. The benefit is that you get more potassium (good) and less sodium (good).

Doo is right. You should be drinking more if you have a higher sodium intake.

If you are thirsty, drink. If you are hungry, try a glass of water first – many people mistake mild thirst for hunger. And if you have dark urine, definitely drink more. It should be almost clear.

Good hydration, on a very basic level, relies on adequate stores of sodium, potassium and magnesium. Through osmosis, potassium draws water into your cells, sodium holds water outside of your cells, and magnesium ensures that sodium/potassium stay where they should.

We are bombarded with messages to reduce our salt and take in eight glasses of water each day, but the reality is that everyone has difference requirements. If you exercise/sweat more, you need more sodium (salt). Most people who eat sensible diets have enough potassium, and almost no-one gets enough magnesium.

Provide your body with the minerals, and drink whenever you are thirsty!

Regards, Marek – West London Nutritionist / Personal Trainer

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. I had a pretty good idea that I was off, but didn’t think to drink more. About the water intake, I’ve heard that the 80 oz is the minimum you should drink. I’ve heard that if you take your weight and divide it in half, that’s how many oz you should drink a day (with 80 oz being the minimum regardless). I try to drink around 150 oz or so anyway, so I think I’m good most days, but just wanted to see if anyone had any take on the sodium question. Thanks again for the responses.

If you have a normal pituitary gland and kidneys, your body will tightly regulate the amount of sodium and water in your urine, so that your blood sodium level remains constant. You don’t have to worry about trying to “match” your sodium intake to your water intake… your body brilliantly does that for you when it makes you feel thirsty and then you drink more water (thus bringing down your blood sodium), or making you pee off your free water in dilute urine (thus raising your blood sodium). The one way people get in trouble is by “water intoxication” … this is what happens when marathon runners get hyponatremic (low blood sodium). If you drink way too much water, and you continue to lose sodium in your sweat, you will dilute out your blood sodium over time. In severe cases this can lead to brain swelling causing seizures and even death. Basically, if you are doing endurance exercise, you probably want to use an electrolyte drink, and don’t force yourself to drink more than you’re thirsty during the event. For daily purposes, there’s really no need to drink loads and loads of water past the point where you’re not thirsty.

I am trying biulding mu body. I would like to know how much potassium do I need daily. Thanks