Water, water, everywhere…

And especially where endurance athletes meet and even at your local gym where there often seem to be more water bottles being lifted than barbells. Can anyone dare to question the value of drinking water, as much as you want, any time you want? Well, the USA Track & Field did just that, backed up by new evidence that endurance athletes in general and especially marathon competitors have been on a potentially lethal hyper-hydration kick and had to, literally, dry out for their own good.

Traditionally, athletes have been warned of the dangers of dehydration and so advised to drink as much as they can. That is now branded as nonsense, unscientific and dangerous. Consuming excessive fluids can lead to hyponatremia, a potentially fatal condition that is made worse by not replacing sodium losses, especially during endurance events lasting four hours or longer. The new guidelines say that athletes should begin racing well hydrated-indicated by clear urine-and then drink when thirsty rather than continually.

What about those eight glasses a day? Even that sacred mantra is being called into question, because like most mantras, there is-surprise! --almost no scientific evidence to support any of the claims advanced for eight-a-day effectiveness for weight loss, lessening of fatigue or increased alertness. On he contrary, excess water intake can result in water intoxication syndrome and feeling of lethargy. Some until science lights the way, maybe water intake should be regulated by that most ancient of all mantras, "Moderation in everything."

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