Intermittent Water Drinking: DON'T Drink Until Thirsty

We’re told we need to drink often to stay hydrated. But is that really true?

DATA:

0:00 Introduction: Is drinking a lot of water healthy?
0:45 Understanding thirst
1:52 Oxytocin explained
2:53 Intermittent drinking
4:10 What happens when you drink too much water?
7:18 Microplastics in water
7:58 Get unfiltered health information by signing up for my newsletter

Is it healthy to drink water all day long? Let’s talk about it.

Yes, we need water—I’m not against drinking water. But I think we need to rethink the concept of sipping on something constantly.

An interesting research paper suggests that thirst triggers oxytocin, the trust and love hormone. This is also a powerful stress-reducing hormone.

If you drink something all day long, you may not trigger oxytocin as much as if you waited until your body gave you signals of thirst.

We know the importance of eating intermittently, but what about drinking intermittently? We don’t want to reduce the quantity of water we drink, but what if we decrease the frequency we drink?

Drinking too much water can dilute your stomach acid and affect your digestion. It can also flush out electrolytes and lead to low sodium levels.

A sodium deficiency may cause fatigue, weakness, an increase in adrenaline, and many other health concerns. You need a combination of water and sodium in your diet to really hydrate your body.

I think we need to ask ourselves more often whether we’re actually thirsty or not. You may even find your stress goes down a bit if you don’t over-hydrate.

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, age 58, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis and intermittent fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals®. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

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Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full-time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

#keto #ketodiet #weightloss #ketolifestyle

Thanks for watching! Try drinking when you’re thirsty—not all day long. I’ll see you in the next video.

[Drberg]

There is ONE point I forgot to mention. One reason you may not be very thirsty during the day could be that you simply don't consume enough sea salt. Try adding more on your food and see what happens.

[miavos]

If ever I feel 'not good' or have a bit of a headache, I drink a full glass of water. I feel immediate relief.

[CandyWorld]

Don't leave plastic water bottles in your car where the temperature may change to very hot in the summer or freezing in the winter since that increases the amount of microplastics that are released to the water

[rogerbradyrab]

New studies have also shown how over hydrating dilutes and disturbs the gut flora and cause issues in stomach as well. And also adversely affect the kidneys cause it works overtime.

[rander]

It seems that as I age (I'm nearly 75), my sense of thirst is diminished compared to when I was younger. That makes me think I should be drinking more water. However, I'm very concerned of being caught somewhere having to urinate but not being where that's possible. It's tough getting old.

[tamitatangoto]

I was told 20 years ago by a friend and practicing kinesiologist that I did not need to drink much water. The fact that I had had my gallbladder and spleen removed may have something to do with why she told me this.😮😊
I drink water when I'm thirsty 🎉❤ and it makes it so much more pleasant.😅
It certainly makes me understand why Dr Berg says that it increases a very good for us hormone.🎉❤🎉❤ Because I really do get so much more pleasure out of the experience if I am truly thirsty 😅

[gretchenbond]

Sometimes I actually can't tell if I'm thirsty. I confuse it with hunger, or frustration. So, when i feel hungry or frustrated I will drink some water and usually feel better.

[supagreatman]

I've been drinking so often I'm almost never thirsty. Gonna try this

[quickpstuts]

I love your advice, but we cannot all go by thirst. I was chronically dehydrated and NEVER got thirsty My electrolyte imbalance was severely off. I had to make myself drink water. Once I started drinking more, my body's thirst signal came back.

[Magneticlaw]

Around my freshman year in high school (1990) is when I first noticed bottled water for sale in stores, and this coincided with the "drink tons of water" message. Even then it struck me as odd, but now I realize that it was just a sales pitch to huck more water (which cycles infinitely, and thus, infinite sales).

[queenesther]

I’m ecstatic to see this video. I was one who started drinking over 100 ounces a day. It hit me this year that all this water consumption propaganda starts at the same time that water bottles were being sold. I started waiting until feeling thirst three months ago.

[lifeisshortthatsforsure]

Everyone needs to read:-
‘You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty’ by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D

[bevmckee]

Dr. Berg I loved learning to know that I don’t need to drink water until I am thirsty! It really changes my stress!

[ajitkapadia]

The right thing is to drink water ONLY when thirsty = body’s demand. DONT force water in your system.

[pzqveyz]

I had heard, years ago, that we must drink water only when we are thirsty, but it is the fist time that I find this kind of explanation.
Thank you!

[oB_Session]

My father has an extreme case of OCD. He is completely fixated on drinking 2 gallons of water per day, not a drop less not a drop more. He walks around all day long with a water bottle in his hands and drinks throughout the day. I can’t stop this man. He cannot be stopped. Hoping this video can help him see the light. 🙏

[selenacoul]

Now that I don’t consume sugar or refined carbs I don’t really get thirsty. Or perhaps it doesn’t feel the same as it did when I was poisoning myself with sugar and flour. Now that I do 20 hour OMAD IF/Healthy Keto - I feel reborn. But not really thirsty. Thanks doctor- you’re saving us.

[supagreatman]

To whoever is reading this keep going, you're doing fine! No matter how slow your progress each new week is filled with tiny steps forward. Be proud of yourself you got this!

[woman.of.christ]

My urinologist pushes me to drink lots of water to clean out my kidneys so I don't get kidney stones again. My practitioner also tells me to push water. Thank you Dr Berg alot of your videos help.

[lawrenceshdow]

Idk man. My grandpa and my great grandfather lived to over 100 and both always pushed the 8 glasses of water a day (not so much 8 but just to stay hydrated).

My dad is now in his 80s and super healthy. He does the same. Drinks water from a well throughout the day.

This is one of those things where i will go with my family advice; based on seeing their results.