Hydration

Hydration is super important, and I would guess some aspects of it will be better understood in the coming few years. Those aspects include: local dehydration (and alleviating), chronic hydrations effect on mortality/morbidity and a complete rethink of the ludicrous idea that people need 2.7-3.7 liters of water per day (women and men respectively Mayo Clinic). That’s 91oz for women and 125 oz for men.

The real number – from physiological research performed over 50 years ago is: ~500ml or 17oz.

What?!? No way you’re thinking right?? That’s because there is a big mismatch between what your body can do with its kidneys under normal conditions - retain water and concentrate salts into urine - and what you eat/drink and to an extent what activities you do.

The big number is frankly too big. If you’re drinking 60-125oz of water a day and going to pee 4+ times a day, it’s because the water you are drinking is effectively poisoning you by diluting the salts in your blood. Your kidneys get rid of it quickly, it doesn’t hydrate you and it’s a waste.

There is a better way. Pick drinks that are actually closer to the water/salts balance in your blood and you won’t need as much water, and won’t pee as often. Be prepared though, those drinks will taste a little salty (unless the manufacturer tries to disguise that taste by putting in sugar and sugar substitutes).

Sugar and sugar substitutes have their own problems (Xylitol NYT)…