Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by jonahbenton 1266 days ago
Personal anecdote. Experiences vary but for me over the past few years deliberately drinking a lot of water- generally 64oz+ per day, lightly salted (a couple of coarse grains per 32oz jug)- has had a huge positive impact.

I almost never feel thirsty when I don't drink and so have to put in conscious effort to do it but when I do many aspects of my psychic experience change. I am more awake, think more clearly, have more energy, on and on. Many more purely physical aspects improve as well- my digestion is better, I have better appetite management, my skin is clearer, etc.

Last year we had a temporary issue with our fridge ice maker so I used that as an excuse to get the family a super bougie standalone ice maker- the GE Opal. It has unexpectedly made the water habit much easier for everyone. Now I can't think of a better spent $600.

Really would like Huberman to do a hydration/water/salt episode.

3 comments

I have the same issue. I mostly only drink out of habit.

This year I aim to get more active, and bought a fancy water bottle a while ago which will hopefully help with staying hydrated.

Regarding your 'lightly salted' water, if you can source it easily enough I'd suggest you try some Pocari Sweat [1] for a workout type drink - it's an electrolyte replenisher. I got into it when we lived in the middle east (found it in cans for cheap) and since then I sometimes buy it in powdered form [2]. I really like the taste - lightly sweet/salt.

I'll try adding a bit of salt to my drinking water and see how it goes, thanks!

[1] https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/nutraceutical/products/pocariswe...

[2] https://www.amazon.com/Otsuka-Pharmaceutical-Pocari-Sweat-Po...

I make my own, based on a WHO recipe for rehydration therapy.

The WHO intends it for use for people suffering dysentery, but dehydration is dehydration.

1. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-FCH-CAH-06.1

It’s a 123 page PDF??! any TL;DR? :) (on mobile so forgive my laziness)
On page 3: Per liter of water: Sodium chloride 2.6g Glucose, anhydrous 13.5g Potassium chloride 1.5g Trisodium citrate, dihydrate 2.9g
Careful with Pocari Sweat; similar to Gatorade, it's full of sugar and not really suitable for all-day drinking.
Also despite being clear and implying a clean, fresh taste... it tastes like shit.
I think this part is largely subjective. I really like the taste.

Agree with the parent to your comment - did not mean to insinuate it should replace water.

Pocari Sweat is also hugely popular here in SE Asia. However, it's usually recommended by doctors to rectify dehydration. I agree with the other commenter in the thread who says it's really not meant to be a daily hydration drink, unless perhaps you are working out a lot and losing a lot of electrolytes.
How do you deal with peeing? I’ve gotten into a good water habit, but its such a burden having to pee all the time and being in actual pain if I can’t get to a bathroom easily for whatever reason.
I use it as a nice break from whatever I'm working on
Yeah, that's great unless what you are working on is sleep...
If you have a healthy drinking habit throughout the day you should be able to stop ~1hr before bed and drink excess right away when you get up in the morning
hahahaha. Please set yourself a reminder to read your post when you get to middle age. I have to stop drinking water at least 3 hours before bed to limit my wake up and pee to 1x per night.
>1x per night

Only one? As the Pythons would say, 'Looxury!'

Tea or coffee, same story. OTOH, if this theory's right, I'll be complaining a lot longer. (And getting better at it.)

That sounds like prostate issues tbh
There's a body chemistry component here. Are you possibly mouth breathing while you sleep?
Yes but how often. What if you are driving/on a public transport, or you have to deal with people?
Public transport is brutal for peeing. I’ve been forced to pee behind dumpsters because none of the businesses near the busstop I got out at had a bathroom for the public. On the subway you see people pee onto the track.
People with sodium-rich diet need to hydrate themselves more, it really depends on what you eat