Hydration is very important, especially in the summer when it is easy to lose fluid from the body due to the heat. Therefore, it is essential to drink water more often.
Unfortunately, in an effort to drink more water for health, many people overdo it without knowing what consequences it can lead to.
The truth is that drinking excessive amounts of water can have serious side effects. More than that, water can be toxic.
I realize that this may come as a shock to some, but let's look into this issue more deeply in order to come to a conclusion.
Drinking a lot of water can lead to a decrease in the concentration of sodium in the blood, which maintains the balance between fluid inside and outside the cells. When sodium levels drop, water moves outward and causes cells to swell. This can cause headaches and nausea, and in rare cases, brain edema and coma. This condition is called hyperhydration or water poisoning. Although this phenomenon is extremely rare, it does occur.
There are also a number of medical conditions in which drinking large amounts of water is contraindicated.
- Heart and kidney disease: People with these conditions may have difficulty eliminating excess water from the body, resulting in fluid accumulation (edema).
- Type 2 diabetes: This is a condition in which the kidneys cannot excrete water in the amount a person needs, resulting in excessive thirst and urination. The next portion of water is again excreted from the body, taking with it electrolytes that protect against moisture from entering the body's tissues and cells.
- Electrolyte imbalance: There are many diseases that cause excessive excretion of electrolytes (potassium, sodium, magnesium, etc.) from the body. Even trivial sweating leads to loss of electrolytes. This also includes the use of diuretics.
The amount of water that can be dangerous for a person depends on several factors: age, weight, level of physical activity, climatic conditions and the presence of certain diseases. Therefore, there is no universal answer for how much water not to drink. But for general guidance, I suggest you consider these few signs that will help you realize you may be drinking too much water:
- You do not control the amount of water you drink.
Drinking water has become a habit for you. You always have a water bottle next to you, and when it is empty, it is immediately replaced with a full bottle.
- You drink water when you are not thirsty.
It is estimated that when thirst occurs, the body is already in a state of mild dehydration. Therefore, experts advise drinking water consciously to avoid dehydration. However, if drinking water without any signs of thirst, even "forcefully", and it has become a ritual, the body is undoubtedly getting more fluid than it needs.
Your urine is completely clean.
It is so washed out that its color resembles that of water. It has no odor or color and is completely clear – this happens when there is excess fluid in the body and means that almost no harmful substances and toxins are removed from the body with urine.
You urinate too often, even at night.
The body is designed in such a way that the amount of urine in the bladder is stored until morning. If you drink too much fluid, this does not happen and you have urges to urinate several times during the night.
Nausea and vomiting occurs.
Excess water in the body can damage the digestive tract. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, blurred consciousness, double vision may occur.
You have frequent headaches.
Headaches are seen due to an imbalance in the concentration of electrolytes in the body. When they become too little due to dilution by excess fluid, the nervous system begins to suffer. Headaches, cramps, and pain in the extremities appear.
You feel tired or lethargic.
Too much water makes the kidneys work in excess to eliminate it from the body. This causes a hormonal response that makes you feel tired. If you can't get out of bed after drinking large amounts of water, it means your kidneys are overworked.
In conclusion, I would like to point out that the normal functioning of many body systems depends on water, and its insufficient consumption, as well as excessive consumption, can cause negative reactions and severe consequences.
Do not go to extremes.
In order not to harm yourself when drinking water, listen to your body, it will tell you how much water you really need.
Remember that everything depends on your individual characteristics, lifestyle, diet and other factors.