Yes, too much water will cause you to lose nutrients – but that’s on the order of gallons per day. The ideal level of water consumption for an adult in a temperate climate is at least 2 liters (8 glasses) per day. And thirst is not an accurate indicator of needing more water, as it actually signifies significant dehydration , so drinking how much you ‘feel like’ is often not enough to be in optimal health.

Well I can see your general point, but I think the sensor systems we have evolved for a reason. If the feedback systems of the organism (pain,thirst,hunger etc.) weren’t sufficient, either they would have improved or we would have had evolutionary difficulties (died out?). I don’t have a problem with 8 glasses if thats optimal for a given person, but the optimal amount of water intake for a 90 pound female would be totallly differnt from the optimal intake for a 180 pound very active male.

Point is, in lieu of an arbitrary number, drink when you feel the need. I just have an issue with people beating up on themselves as if they killed a dolphin if they didn’t go and drink 8 glasses of water. It reeks of superstition.

The australian aborigines survive without drinking 8 glasses of water just fine. The body takes water out of its total food intake.

Today I was at the local state art gallery, and there was not a SINGLE fountain there in the whole floor . All these fountains that used to be in public places in the western world, are being taken out at the behest of multinationals who would like to appropriate a public resource and turn around and sell you your 8 glasses of water a day.

I’m not trying to rant about the megacorps here, but 1 or 2 litres is just too arbitrary, without educating people about the dangers of drinking too much water (which ARE there, and people ARE stressing their systems by drinking waaay more water than they need)

google: Walkerton, Water, Hyponatermia

Cheers.