Should I Drink More Water if My Poop is Watery?

December 24, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the World Health Organization, diarrhea is defined as passing three or more loose or liquid stools per day. If your poop is watery, it's a clear sign that you should drink more water and other electrolyte-rich fluids to avoid dehydration.

Quick Summary

When experiencing watery stool, increasing fluid intake is essential to replace the water and electrolytes lost by the body. This prevents dehydration, a potentially serious condition. Other supportive measures include adjusting your diet and, if symptoms persist, seeking medical advice.

Key Points

Hydrate with Water and Electrolytes: Watery stools lead to significant fluid and electrolyte loss, so it is vital to replenish both, not just with water but also with oral rehydration solutions (ORS).
Follow a Bland Diet: The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) is recommended as these foods are easy to digest and can help firm up stool.
Avoid Certain Foods: Stay away from fatty, spicy, sugary foods, high-fiber items, caffeine, and alcohol, as these can worsen diarrhea and irritate your digestive system.
Consider Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS): For moderate fluid loss, ORS are more effective than water alone because they contain a balanced mix of sugars and salts to maximize absorption.
Seek Medical Care If Necessary: Contact a doctor if diarrhea persists beyond two days, or if you experience signs of severe dehydration, high fever, or bloody stools.
Manage Diet and Gut Health: Focus on supportive dietary changes and consider probiotics, but always consult a healthcare provider for persistent issues or before adding supplements.

The Crucial Link Between Watery Poop and Dehydration

Watery stool, or diarrhea, is the body's way of rapidly expelling waste, which unfortunately also results in a significant loss of fluids and essential electrolytes. Your large intestine's primary job is to absorb water from digested food, but during diarrhea, this process is impaired or sped up. Consequently, you lose more fluids than you absorb, leading to dehydration if not managed correctly.

Why Hydration is Key During Diarrhea

When you have diarrhea, the risk of dehydration is high, especially for young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Dehydration can lead to serious complications, including kidney damage and hypovolemic shock. Proper hydration is not just about quenching thirst; it's about maintaining critical bodily functions. Plain water is good, but for moderate fluid loss, replenishing electrolytes—minerals like sodium and potassium that help carry electrical signals between cells—is equally important.

What to Drink Beyond Plain Water

While water is the foundation of rehydration, relying on it exclusively during a bout of diarrhea may not be enough to restore lost electrolytes.

Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS): These are the most effective options, containing a precise mix of water, sugar, and salts. ORS packets are available over-the-counter and are designed for maximum fluid and electrolyte absorption.
Clear Broths: Chicken or vegetable broth provides sodium and other minerals, which can help replenish lost electrolytes.
Diluted Fruit Juice: Some diluted fruit juices, like apple or grape, can help with hydration. However, it's important to choose varieties without high fructose corn syrup or excessive sugar, as this can worsen diarrhea.
Sports Drinks: Certain sports drinks can help replenish electrolytes, but many are also high in sugar. Look for lower-sugar options and dilute them with water.

Dietary Management for Watery Stools

In addition to fluids, modifying your diet can help manage symptoms and aid recovery. The BRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—is a classic recommendation for its low fiber content and ability to help firm up stool.

Foods to Eat and Avoid


Foods to Eat (Low-Fiber)	Foods to Avoid (High-Fiber, Sugary, Fatty)
Bananas	Spicy foods
White rice	Fatty or fried foods
Applesauce	Dairy products (lactose)
Toast (white bread)	Excessive sugar or artificial sweeteners
Boiled potatoes (skinless)	High-fiber vegetables (e.g., broccoli)
Lean meats (baked, skinless chicken)	Whole grains and nuts
Saltine crackers	Caffeine and alcohol
Clear broths	Carbonated beverages
Eggs	Prunes and figs

The Role of Probiotics and Medications

Probiotics, found in certain yogurts or supplements, introduce beneficial bacteria to your gut, which can be disrupted by illness. However, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. Over-the-counter medications like loperamide (Imodium) can slow down bowel movements, but they are not suitable for all causes of diarrhea, especially infections. Children should not be given these medications without a doctor's recommendation.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While most cases of acute diarrhea resolve on their own in a few days, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. You should contact a healthcare provider if you experience:

Signs of severe dehydration (extreme thirst, dizziness, little to no urination, rapid heart rate)
Diarrhea lasting more than two days in adults, or 24 hours in a child
High fever (over 102°F or 39°C)
Severe abdominal or rectal pain
Bloody or black stools

Conclusion

If your poop is watery, drinking more water and other electrolyte-rich fluids is the most important step to prevent dehydration and support your body's recovery. Plain water is helpful, but oral rehydration solutions are most effective for restoring lost electrolytes. Complementary strategies include following a bland diet (like the BRAT diet) and avoiding foods that can aggravate symptoms. While self-care is often sufficient for acute cases, it's crucial to be aware of signs of severe dehydration or persistent illness that require professional medical advice. Always prioritize hydration and listen to your body, seeking help from a healthcare professional when symptoms are concerning.

Authoritative Resource

For comprehensive information on diarrhea and its management, you can consult the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) at the National Institutes of Health. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea

Frequently Asked Questions

Watery poop is a sign of diarrhea, which can be caused by infections (viruses, bacteria, parasites), food poisoning, certain medications, or underlying digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Signs of dehydration from diarrhea in adults include excessive thirst, dry mouth, dark-colored urine, reduced urination, fatigue, and dizziness. In infants, look for no tears when crying, fewer wet diapers, and a sunken soft spot on their head.

While it's important to drink fluids, relying solely on large quantities of plain water can dilute your body's electrolyte balance, which is already low due to diarrhea. It's best to combine water with an oral rehydration solution to restore electrolytes properly.

The best drinks are Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS), which contain the correct balance of salts and sugars to aid rehydration. Clear broths and diluted, low-sugar fruit juices are also good choices.

Acute diarrhea, the most common type, typically lasts for one to two days and resolves on its own. If it persists for more than two days in adults or 24 hours in a child, a doctor should be consulted.

Yes, you can eat solid food. Focusing on bland, low-fiber options like bananas, white rice, applesauce, and toast (BRAT diet) is recommended. Eating small, frequent meals is often tolerated better than three large ones.

You should call a pediatrician if a child's diarrhea doesn't improve within 24 hours, or if they show signs of dehydration, have a high fever, or pass bloody or black stools.