While drinking water daily plays an important role in maintaining good health, believe it or not, there are several instances when NOT to drink water. The latest guidelines from the Institute of Medicine recommend that most women consume about 91 ounces—that’s about 9 cups of water a day. Men on the other hand need a bit more — about 125 ounces (or 13 cups) a day. Keep in mind, this count includes other beverages like coffee, tea and milk. So, when is it NOT the ideal time to chug water?
When you’ve already topped off.
If you drink too much water, you can deplete your body’s natural balance of salt. When your body becomes too low in sodium, you can develop a condition called hyponatremia, or “water intoxication.” When this happens, your water levels rise – in turn, causing your cells to swell. Fortunately, treating the condition can be as simple as keeping an eye on your water intake.
When your pee is crystal clear.
How do you know when you’ve had enough to drink (water that is)? Your urine will appear light yellow in color. If your pee pee is crystal clear, experts suggest you may be overhydrated. Meanwhile, darker yellow shades suggest you’re not meeting daily recommendations.