Drinking too much water can be harmful

Drinking is essential. The body needs to be hydrated to perform its functions at its best. But overdoing it is wasteful, harmful to health, and can even create the conditions for a problem called hyponatremiaMany people think that drinking lots of water is always healthy (detox, better skin, etc.): this idea leads to forcing themselves to drink even when they're not thirsty. Furthermore, there are those who develop the habit of sipping water continuously, almost automatically or due to anxiety; those who confuse thirst with hunger; and those who dry mouth (which can have various causes) with thirst.

When you drink excessive amounts of water in a short period of time, your blood becomes excessively diluted and your sodium levels drop. Sodium is essential for fluid balance in cells, especially in the brain.

Possible symptoms

• Nausea and vomit
• Headache
• Mental confusion
• Swelling (especially cerebral, in severe cases)
• Convulsions
• In extreme cases, it can be life-threatening

How much water is “too much”?

It depends on various factors (weight, physical activity, temperature), but in general:

• Beanie many liters in a few hours (for example 3-4 liters quickly) can be risky
• The problem is more related to the speed that to the total daily amount

Who is most at risk?

• Endurance athletes (marathons, triathlons)
• People who follow “challenges” or extreme habits
• Those taking certain medications or having kidney problems

What the body says

Your body is pretty good at telling you what to do:

• Drink when you are thirsty
• Check the color of your urine: if it is light yellow, it means you are well hydrated.

Read also:

• How much water should we drink per day?
• How much water is needed to produce meat?
• Food: the water we waste at the table