It was obvious (to me) at the time that the advice to drink a set amount, usually 8 glasses, of water a day was rubbish. All this "tea is a diuretic so if you drink tea you must drink even more water!" stuff was obviously wrong.

Same as the "eat five portions of fruit or veg a day", although in that instance it at least encourages people to eat more healthily. Not that anyone really knows what a "portion" is.

. .

One portion of barley extract:



Consume at least five portions a day.

Would grape extract be a good substitute?

I read somewhere years ago that it's a handful. Makes sense because most people are in proportion to their hands so a big person would get a bigger portion than a smaller person or a child.

Measuring out a portion of baked beans gets a bit messy, though...

Don't be concerned about how much liquid you consume - worry about the colour of your urine. Pale coloured - you're doing just fine. Dark coloured - you need to drink more non-diuretic drinks.

If you've taken a massive amount of exercise in hot weather one day then drink more water in the evening -not just in one go; otherwise you'll be dehydrated the next day.

Actually I have been told the color does not have to indicate de/hydration but also how much protein one consumed.

Apparently, frequency of urination is a safer indicator. (other stuff one eats influences color, like VitC, etc). Sounds logical. Plus I don't really want to inspect what's in the toilet bowl much, guys have it easier to see when they pee

That's only if it's frothy... and even then it needs a quick lab test to make sure.

Oh I beg to differ! Scottish water has a beautiful sweet taste to it! And no it's not Irn Bru I'm talking about.

Aw I'm gutted I thought the water would be lovely and soft. I'm fed up of hard water.

More dodgy science from the independent, mental accuracy and problem solving ability under stress is greatly decreased when dehydrated, it's been tested, I know this to be true myself, what qualifies as dehydration is debatable and changes from person to person.

I beg to differ. Sample size: one person. Frequency of test - many, many many times. Amount of protein consumed - roughly the same each time.

It's a quick glance. You're only checking the colour.

The colour of your urine indicates how concentrated it is, the darker it is, the more urea it contains and the less water, this indicates that your body is lacking water and attempting to maintain as much as possible while also excreting urea. That is your first stage of dehydration indication, (or second stage after feeling thirsty, the second stage (or third) is complete fluid retention when your body is not even allowing you to urinate because of water loss.

Actually the protein indicator is how frothy your Urine is (lovely) so if you have a thick frothy pint of Guinness style head bobbing on the surface of your urine, you should probably cut down on your protein intake, your body doesn't need the excess.

At least, thanks to the Independent article, I now know what 'hyponatraemia' is.
Can't believe I've lived so long without knowing that

Hardly fair to blame The Independent, it's nothing to do with them. They're just reporting on a story in the BMJ (can only read abstract without subscription). The story is everywhere, even made it in the Times of India and ABC News. You should be taking up your complaint with Dr Margaret McCartney.

I have read it all over US media, too.

I do think we all need different amounts of water, sleep, etc. I get cranky and tired when I am not hydrated, nor can retain facts, my brain is super slow...so, when I need to cram for exams, I load up on water and coffee.

...................

You've had your fun Ouchboy, now give DB back his EF password.

well, off topic, but the independent has recently been outed for story fabrication. The salient points have been covered, but I'm in no doubt that the medical professionals are a little annoyed by the reporting style.

Well, blow me! Newspapers making things up?

I think I need a cup of tea...