Why Water

[DVK]

Hello, I am still new to celiac disease and wondering why I have noticed how little of water I have been drinking lateley since being on a gluten-free diet. 3 weeks ago before the diet I was drinking about 8-10 bottles of water at work and 80 ounces or so at night. Now I am drinking only maybe 2 bottles of water and a 32oz pepsi and 60 ounces of water at night. Does anyone know why??

Thanks

David

[GlutenWrangler]

You are most likely drinking less water because the diet has begun to heal your small intestine. 90% of water is absorbed by the small intestine. Celiac disease damages the small intestine, making it more difficult to function properly and absorb water. You need more water to stay hydrated. When you begin to heal, there is more healthy surface area in the small intestine, making more efficient at absorbing water. So needing less water is a positive sign. Hope this helps.

-Brian

[Corkdarrr]

That's an interesting observation. my water intake went all screwy for a while, too. i definately notice that i get extremely thirsty when i've been glutened...so i guess apply that theory, only opposite!

courtney

[Guest cassidy]

It sounds like you were drinking a ton of water before. Based on everything I have read the most water anyone needs is 1/2 their body weight. So if you weighed 150lbs, 75 oz of water would be the most that you would need. I'm sure we have all heard the drink 8 -10 glasses a day although I'm not sure there is much proof for any of these levels. I think the question is why were you having to drink so much before? It is good that your thrist is back to a more normal level.

[GlutenWrangler]

  cassidy said:

It sounds like you were drinking a ton of water before. Based on everything I have read the most water anyone needs is 1/2 their body weight. So if you weighed 150lbs, 75 oz of water would be the most that you would need. I'm sure we have all heard the drink 8 -10 glasses a day although I'm not sure there is much proof for any of these levels. I think the question is why were you having to drink so much before? It is good that your thrist is back to a more normal level.

The 1/2 body weight in ounces formula is fine for people with normal intestines. The reason why he needed so much water is because celiac disease damaged his intestines. Water cannot be properly absorbed through the damage. Combine this with diarrhea (if applicable), and you can see why the water is not going to the right places. So that's why he needed so much, as do many celiacs. I've been gluten-free for 5 months and I still need about 3 gallons of fluid a day. I add in a few gatorades to keep my electrolytes up. On my worst days in the past I would drink 4 gallons to stay hydrated. Dehydration is the symptom of celiac disease that I hate the most.

-Brian

[lorka150]

i wouldn't be surprised if you are replacing water intake with pepsi because you are giving yourself a new treat (pop) as you have left some old ones behind.

[DVK]

Thank you for the reply, I really wonder sometimes, all the old syptoms I had were all related to this, How weird it all is. Especilly the weight loss over the past years, went from 195 to 175.

David

[TestyTommy]

I have no idea WHY I drink so much, but like some of you other celiacs, I was drinking about 4 gallons of water/day before I went gluten-free. Now, after about 8 months gluten-free, I still drink about 2 gallons. Hopefully, that means I'm healing.

I'll echo the previous poster --- if you're drinking a lot of water, watch your electrolyte balance. A great product I use is "Endurolytes" by Hammer Nutrition. They are capsules used by long distance runners that contain the proper balance of electrolytes that you need. Kinda like Gatorade in a capsule ---- without all that sugar.

[GlutenWrangler]

Tommy,

Can you drink tap water? For some reason, my stomach only tolerates fresh bottled water. When I say fresh, I mean less than a month in the bottle. I have no idea why that is, but sometimes I have to go on water searches because its hard to find fresh water. I was wondering if I was the only one who can only drink certain water.

-Brian