Is It Possible to Drink Too Much Water?

When the mercury begins to rise, it’s natural for us to crave more H20. Everywhere we turn it seems people are telling us to “Drink more water,” but how much is too much?

 

The truth is, you can overhydrate, but in today’s world where everything we do and consume tends to dehydrate us (read: coffee, alcohol and energy drinks), it is a rare occurrence.

 

The first thing to note here is that there is no set guideline for how much water a person should consume each day. This is because there are many factors that play into the amount of water your body needs. The general rule of drinking eight glasses a day is a good start, but for most of us, it is likely only a start.

 

All of our organs use water to function properly, and as we get older, the need for water does not decrease. Factors such as health, diet, illnesses and even our environmental surroundings can impact our need for hydration.

 

Drinking too much water can be deadly, but this is rare to occur. When you overload on H20, you end up overtaxing your kidneys. They are then unable to excrete the extra water you are dumping into them. This will cause the sodium in your blood to become diluted, which can lead to a disease called hyponatremia. If left untreated, this can result in death.

 

If you are concerned about the amount of water you are taking in, there are a few symptoms to look out for. When you’re properly hydrated, your urine should be light in colour, though certain medications can change the hue. If you don’t feel thirsty often, this is an obvious sign that you are likely well-hydrated. If you have questions about how much water you should be drinking based on your health and your body type, speak with your doctor.

 

While it is possible to drink too much water, it’s unlikely to occur. So drink up this summer to stay healthy and hydrated.