Drinking water also helps inhibit “vasopressin” release. Vasopressin is a hormone that reduces your body’s thermogenesis  (heat production) which slows metabolism, and makes you retain fluid, so not only does drinking more water increase your metabolism, but for those of you who tend retain fluid, drinking more water is the solution.
When I do nutritional consultations I normally ask if the individual drinks much water. If they say “yes,” I ask them if they’re often thirsty. Almost, every time they’ll respond “yes.” I’ll then ask if they know anyone who does not drink much water. If they do I ask if that person is often thirsty. Most every time they’ll say “no”. Doesn’t that seem backward? You’d think if one drank lots of water, they wouldn’t be thirsty and vice versa. Here’s why.
Your body can’t tell the difference between what you choose to do or what you have to do, so when you consciously choose not to drink water, your body just thinks water isn’t available, so your brain’s thirst mechanism starts to shut down. When you drink lots of water your brain tells your body “water’s available, so it’s ok to be thirsty.”
f you don’t like water, try this. Make yourself chug a big glass of cool water, wait 30 minutes, do it again, and soon you’ll be thirsty. That’s one way to start loving water.
There are a few cautions associated with drinking water though. First, drinking too much at one time is dangerous. If you were to drink 2 gallons in one sitting, it could kill you by making your brain swell. Drinking too much throughout the day can also flush out electrolytes like magnesium, calcium, potassium, chloride and sodium.
Electrolytes are minerals that carry electrical charges through our muscles, to help them contract properly . Losing too many electrolytes could cause cramps. Taking your vitamin/mineral supplements and eating lots of fruits and vegetables will help prevent cramping. Also, for those who suffer from acid reflux, drinking too much water can sometimes aggravate the condition, by making the acid rise up the esophagus.
Diet or exercise question? Email me at dwcrocker77@gmail.com or visit fitness4yourlife.org. David Crocker of Landrum has been a nutritionist and personal trainer for 26 years. He served as strength director of the Spartanburg Y.M.C.A., head strength coach for the S.C. state champion girls gymnastic team, USC-Spartanburg baseball team, Converse college equestrian team, lead trainer to L.H. Fields modeling agency, and taught four semesters at USC-Union. David was also a regular guest of the Pam Stone radio show.