Why Drinking Too Much Water Is Dangerous
Posted By Dr. Ben Kim on Mar 31, 2009
Updated on March 31, 2009
On January 12, 2007, a 28-year old Californian wife and mother of three children died from drinking too much water. Her body was found in her home shortly after she took part in a water-drinking contest that was sponsored by a local radio show. Entitled "Hold Your Wee For A Wii," the contest promoters promised a free Wii video game machine to the contestant who drank the most water without urinating.
It is estimated that the woman who died drank approximately 2 gallons of water during the contest. When she and other contestants complained of discomfort and showed visible signs of distress, they were laughed at by the promoters and even heckled.
This tragic news story highlights the importance of understanding why drinking too much water can be dangerous to your health.
Whenever you disregard your sense of thirst and strive to ingest several glasses of water a day just because you have been told that doing so is good for your health, you actually put unnecessary strain on your body in two major ways:
-
Ingesting more water than you need can increase your total blood volume. And since your blood volume exists within a closed system - your blood circulatory system - needlessly increasing your blood volume on a regular basis puts unnecessary burden on your heart and blood vessels.
-
Your kidneys must work overtime to filter excess water out of your blood circulatory system. Your kidneys are not the equivalent of a pair of plumbing pipes whereby the more water you flush through your kidneys, the cleaner they become; rather, the filtration system that exists in your kidneys is composed in part by a series of specialized capillary beds called glomeruli. Your glomeruli can get damaged by unnecessary wear and tear over time, and drowning your system with large amounts of water is one of many potential causes of said damage.
Putting unnecessary burden on your cardiovascular system and your kidneys by ingesting unnecessary water is a subtle process. For the average person, it is virtually impossible to know that this burden exists, as there are usually no obvious symptoms on a moment-to-moment basis. But make no mistake about it: this burden is real and can hurt your health over the long term.
Forcing your body to accept a large amount of water within a short period of time - say, an hour or two - as several contestants did during the "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" contest can be fatally dangerous to your health. Here's why:
If you force large amounts of water into your system over a short period of time, your kidneys will struggle to eliminate enough water from your system to keep the overall amount at a safe level.
As your blood circulatory system becomes diluted with excess water, the concentration of electrolytes in your blood will drop relative to the concentration of electrolytes in your cells. In an effort to maintain an equal balance of electrolytes between your blood and your cells, water will seep into your cells from your blood, causing your cells to swell.
If this swelling occurs in your brain, the bones that make up your skull hardly budge. The result is an increase in intracranial pressure i.e. your brain gets squeezed. Depending on how much water your drink in a short period of time, you could experience a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from a mild headache to impaired breathing. And as occurred recently in the tragic water-drinking contest, it is quite possible to die if you drink enough water in a short enough period of time.
This information is particularly important for parents to pass on to their children. Foolish water-drinking contests are not uncommon among high school and university students, especially while playing cards.
So how much water should you drink to best support your health?
The answer to this question depends on your unique circumstances, including your diet, exercise habits, and environment.
If you eat plenty of foods that are naturally rich in water, such as vegetables, fruits, and cooked legumes and whole grains, you may not need to drink very much water at all. If you do not use much or any salt and other seasonings, your need for drinking water goes down even further.
Conversely, if you do not eat a lot of plant foods and/or you add substantial salt and spices to your meals, you may need to drink several glasses of water every day.
Regardless of what your diet looks like, if you sweat on a regular basis because of exercise or a warm climate, you will need to supply your body with more water (through food and/or liquids) than someone who does not sweat regularly.
Ultimately, the best guidance I can provide on this issue is to follow your sense of thirst. Some people believe that thirst is not a reliable indicator of how much water you need, since many people suffer with symptoms related to dehydration and don't seem to feel a need to drink water on a regular basis. My experience has been that most people who are chronically dehydrated have learned to ignore a parched mouth. If you ask such people if they are thirsty and would like a piece of fruit or a glass of water, they will almost always realize that they are indeed thirsty.
Some people suggest observing the color of your urine as a way of looking out for dehydration. The idea is that clear urine indicates that you are well hydrated, while yellow urine indicates that you need more water in your system. While this advice is somewhat useful, it is important to remember that some chemicals (like synthetic vitamins) and heavily pigmented foods (like red beets) can add substantial color to your urine. Thumbs down for synthetic vitamins, and thumbs up for red beets and other richly colored vegetables and fruits.
The main idea that I wish to share through this article is to beware of mindlessly drinking several glasses of water per day without considering your diet, exercise habits, climate, and sense of thirst. And when you do find yourself in need of water, remember that you can get it from liquids and/or whole foods.
Please share this article with family and friends, as many people are regularly misinformed on this topic by mainstream media and health practitioners.
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Dr. Ben Kim's Newsletter
Dr. Ben Kim Says:
Water and obesity
I believe you missed one point in this article that more people should realize.
I believe it is probably very common among the obese to eat rather than drink when their mouth gets dry. Eating will temporarily moisturize the mouth with saliva and is my personal cure of choice if I'm not thinking directly about why I am eating. Keeping a bottle of water handy, and conciously reaching for that first when I am tempted to the cupboard or refrigerator has helped me change that and I've lost ten pounds in the last 19 days or so. Can't say if It will make a long term change for me, but I live in hope. Kitty
Water and Obesity
While I agree with Kitty that many people do turn to food when they get thirsty, mistakenly viewing the nagging need for water as hunger, I think she is being quite judgmental to single out overweight people in this. This is a common reaction in many people of differing weights and body sizes and does not in itself cause overweight. Congratulations to her for having lost some extra pounds through substituting water for food and being more aware of her need for water, but to make the statement that obese people eat when thirsty rather than drinking is an ignorant judgment based on opinion.
Sharon
You should not take some
You should not take some people's words personally. My point of view is that Kitty was referring to herself when she spoke of obese people. I, too, am obese and she's right. I am inclined to satisfy my thirst with food and when I drink water instead, I feel so much better emotionally and physically. Sorry, Sharon. I think Kitty was provided a much-needed service to obese or even slightly overweight people everywhere. Thanks, Kitty.
Large people
To me overweight people are normal just like any other people around. Usually a lack of physical exercise is to blame for being overweight. Also diet is very important.
What is shocking me is that in US people are obsessed with
their weight, while you travel to Europe, Asia, or anywhere else they almost never talk about overweight issues!
Just eat little less and walk about 30 min, twice a day, and the weight loss will became history. Must stay away of sweets!
Eat food which will not increase acidity. Finally it took a while to add that weight, it won't go away overnight, be patient, in time will work, but you must stay committed to your diet, don't jump the fence!
Overweight
Not all people are overweight because of their diet choices. It is possibly becuase of:
A. Some companies put trans fats in their foods and don't put it on the label.
B. Some individuals natural metabolism(I myself just got a low dose medicine to help raise my metabolism)
C. Some people take meds for depression and that cuases some to be fat.
Don't forget that some people
Don't forget that some people also have thyroid issues that cause weight gain. Genetics is a BIG factor.
Certain ethnic groups of people are prone to store fat longer than others too. Particularly those with histories of famine.
And in the US most of the easily available food is chock full of hormones and other products used to fatten the animal, but that have an effect on our weight and size. Kids are even larger and developing faster thanks to them.
an old debate:Eating food when thirsty instead of drinking water
As I understood Kitty's remarks about overweight people turning to food when a drink of water would sometime serve to curb the appatite, I agree with her 100 percent, and I don't think she meant that ONLY overweight people do this, but the obvious truth is that overweight people are overweight because they eat more than they burn. Eating to satisfy thurst is just one of many reasons why some of us over eat, but it is a biggie. The remark by Sharon and I quote: "but to make the statement that obese people eat when thirsty rather than drinking is an ignorant judgment based on opinion. Sharon" If Sharon will read this I think she will realize that was a rude statement, as the word IGNORANT just does not apply here, since it is true in many cases. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and she proved she was right by becoming concious of the fact and changing her habit.
Water and obesity
I drink alot of water and im still fat!
I have been drinking four glasses of water
I have been drinking four glasses of warm water every morning for the past 9 months and I have experienced a better health. I can concentrate better and have a better sense of well-being.
I've gained weight since
I've gained weight since starting to drink more water. I almost always drink water first before thinking to eat, but I am still overweight. I know when I am thirsty and I don't eat instead of drinking.
When I didn't drink as much water as I do now, I did not substitute food to wet my mouth. I ate when I was hungry or bored. I drank water when my mouth was dry.
Also, I rarely ever drink anything other than water so you can't blame my weight gain on drinking sugary fluid.
Your statement: I've
Your statement:
I've gained weight since starting to drink more water. I almost always drink water first before thinking to eat, but I am still overweight.
My Comment:
You should only drink water 30 mins or more before and after meal. Because water can actualy dilute your digestive enzyme. Let your saliva and all those insides you do the digesting stuffs. Because your drinking and eating time-gap is so closed, that's why you dont digest properly. The result is you gain weight or having other digestive problems.
I love water!
I am the first to admit my own problem with eating too much. So many times I have read, read, and read some more to learn how to improve my diet. And I am well versed on preaching about the rights and wrongs on eating healthy. But all the knowledge in the world won't get you there. It might make you keep trying. But the problem is that most yummy food is addictive. And if you try just one food, you end up coughing down a lot more and becoming addicted. I have lost weight and gained it so many times. I have been on a bodybuilding kick where i gained alot of muscle and became thin. But I eventually went back.
But one thing that never changes is that I love to drink water. I prefer it. There are times when I need to stand in front of the fridge and drink three or four glasses of it. But most times I drink a small glass every hour or two. And it matters where it comes from as well. That should be a focus in this topic. Not all water is equal and some of it is even dangerous anyway. Studies have found arsenic, feces, and other garbage in bottled water labeled "Spring".
Water intake & overweight
I have to agree with Kitty in the previous comment. I have been attending Weight Watchers for several months and I've lost 16 lbs. One thing they've talked about is how sometimes overweight folks "confuse" the urge to eat, with an urge for water. The body is sending a signal and often by the time bubbles to the front of thought, we think of it as "Oh, I need food" and we often eat, when in fact we need hydration. I drink 6 glasses a day and I've noticed my hunger cravings have been reduced by at least 50%.
Using the color of your urine as a guide is a good idea too. Almost clear, is well hydrated. More physical activity requires more water.
A toast to healthy drinking! Shelly
too much water
Drinking more than 8 glasses of water a day simply makes me hungrier. I don't believe for one minute that it reduces appetite. Perhaps these people drinking lots of water, as part of a diet program are losing weight because of their diet - not because they are consuming lots of water.
I also feel is unnatural to drink OR eat if one doesn't feel the need.
water consumption
If you are thirsy - you are already dehydrated.
I do believe that every person's body is different, thus requiring different amounts of water. And as such - what works for one person may not work for you and vice-versa.
Since our bodies are made up mostly of water, I think it important to stay hydrated
I like your way of thinking,
I like your way of thinking, Nikki. Plain, simple, sensible logic.
Agreed. Drinking more water
Agreed. Drinking more water makes me hungrier. But then again I am always ALWAYS hungry. And no, I am not mistaking hunger for my thirst. I drink more than enough water thoughout the day to know I am hydrated well.
I am only not hungry right after a normal sized meal or large meal. Otherwise I am starving.
response
Maybe you just eat foods that don't make you feel full for long.. like white bread and stuff like that.. I learnt that from the biggest loser tv show.. there are foods that make you feel full for longer.. like peanut butter.. or proteins i guess.. and beans .. oh yeah.. high fiber low fat foods :D
water consumption
Dear Dr. Kim:
Please add that over-consumption of water needlessly dilutes the bodies' vitamins and minerals, esp. Vit C and all non-oil based vitamins and minerals.
Too much water
Wow! this is so neat, all these years I have been one that is not into drinking the ten glasses a day that everyone says we should drink... but I have found I am always trying to get my kids to drink lots, i admit, even when they are not thirsty... but then I started thinking about it.. if drinking lots flushes out toxins from your body... then won't it also flush out vitamins? Hm.... well, I think so! Just a thought, obey your thirst, God made it for a reason.
Too much water OR too little
I read this article with great interest. I'm obese and I don't reach for foods instead of water when I'm hungry. I'm also an osteopenic hypothyroid celiac with fibromyalgia. I have been gluten-free for 2 years and despite eating well, I'm not losing weight. For being 273 lbs at my heaviest, I rarely eat over 2,000 calories, mostly between 1,200 and 1,500. At one time for over 6 months I exercised daily and was sore daily (I did lose 14 lbs). My heart palpitated before CD dx, was worse after exercise. I gave up. I've incorporated eating more raw food, but also eat warm soups. Before that, the doc lowered my Synthroid dose to see if it'd help my palpitations. I'd lowered my dose before because I was absorbing better with gf diet. This was my third time lowering my dose and it was not the charm. I crashed. This, at a time when I experienced no power or water for a week during a winter storm. This, at a time when I'd just sent my husband to work out of state. While alone I craved yogurt and only drank coffee for fake energy. I did not have thirst and loved not going pee all the time, esp in the middle of the night as usual. This was December 2007. Remember the raw food I was eating? Well, I've always had a penchant for salty foods (probably because I was malabsorbing because of undiagnosed celiac). When changing to a more raw food diet, by proxy, didn't eat much sodium. I found myself binging on potato chips and Lipton's onion dip - very salty!Well, I've since been diagnosed with secondary hyperparathyroidism ... and within the last two months been on quite a learning curve about our kidneys/vascular system and heart health. I craved the sodium, but didn't drink the water to BALANCE my needs. Warning! You can't get back kidney health! Take care of them and you take care of your heart too! I am back to drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day, and I monitor my sodium intake via a free online diet site, Sparkpeople.com. With enough but not too much water, I have been losing weight. BALANCE IS KEY! Thanks for the article Dr. Kim.P.S. My fibro is about non-existent now w/gf diet!
Angela, why do you take
Angela, why do you take synthetic thyroid meds? Switch to something real like Armour Thyroid. Your body will "know" what it is and not have to work harder.
Debbie
celiac
I have been drinking 10 plus 8 ounce glasses of water per day. It seems that my inflamation is worse. I am considering that the water maybe diluting my meds for that and/or my hypothyroid meds. It has also been suggested that I be checked for celiac disease. Any advise would be appreciated. Thankyou, Toni
Water quantity
This great article debunks the myth that you need to drink x amount of glasses per day to be healthy, from whom and where did this fallacy start? Nature will tell you when you need water by a little mechanism called ...thirst.
Thank you Doctor Ben for a great site that is a wonderful resource of health fact for many.
8 glasses of water a day
The average '8 glasses a day' idea was originally developed by an advertising agency to sell a product. Your body actually requires somewhere between 3 & 4 litres in a 24hr period to keep its natural system functioning properly. As others have already stated by the time you are thirsty your body is already starting to dehydrate. You need to drink regularly to maintain hydration and remove the toxins from your system. This article really focuses on excessive drinking above the bodies ability to process but the majority of people do not drink enough water - and certainly not enough to warrant the above side effects.
Weight loss
After reading the article some lights went off. In a nutshell I cut water out and used fresh vedg & fruit as moisture - like monkeys do (smile) - but true.
Lost 30lbs in 8 weeks (lost of hard exercise as well) body fat went from 20% down to 8.7%.
In summary our society has overated the use of water in our diets to being fanatic rather than sensible.
Kris
I agree
I had such a hard time dieting when I was trying to drink 8 glasses of water a day. I actually felt more tired and hungry, with all that water sloshing around in my system. Not to mention the fact that I was having to pee every 5 minutes. Not fun.
Yeah, that's the same thing I
Yeah, that's the same thing I have been experiencing. I have been drinking water like taking "medicine", drinking 8 cups evenly spaced out over my day, because I have been told to believe its doing my body good. But...
I feel tired all the time.
I have to pee just about once every hour or sometimes more often it seems. Its really unacceptable how often I have to excuse myself to go pee. Or worse, hold it and be uncomfortable.
I feel hungrier than normal. I used to feel adequately hungry by lunch or dinner time. But now I feel like I am starving to death.
So I decided to cut back on water and try to eat an apple or orange or carrots or other watery/moisture-rich foods for snacks to make up for the moisture. The reasoning being that I would still get the requisite amount of water, but maybe with the healthy snacks... it won't go through my system so fast. I still drink water. Just not 8 cups.
I've found that by reaching
I've found that by reaching for water instead of for food, like mentioned above, has been a great way to eliminate my munchies. I'm hoping that I'll start losing weight soon. I've only been doing it for a couple of days, but I started exercising as well, so I'm very much looking forward to being skinnier.
Water,
thanks, I have been seeing someone who insists that I drinkd at least 8 glasses of water pr day, I finally gave it up and drink when I am thirsty. I don't prespire unless it is hot and then very little. So glad to read what you have to say. Thanks again.
WATER
the too much water totally makes sense to me... im not extremely active and do not eat a lot of salt either and have been drinking tons of water recently, I have had cramping and i have only gained weight due to not disposing what i did eat. the only thing i have changed is the amount of water i been drinking...it started off as me feeling dehydrated so i began to drink water constantly, always keep a full bottle and thats when my issues have started...i will try to drink less and see what happens.
Dieting hype
This article was good! In response to some comments, proper nutrition is so unclear to the public becuase it has become a business, disregarding acutal health care. Extremes and dieting are not the way to go. Lifestyle change and moderation are more reasonable.
- There is definatly validity to drinking water to eat less. Water takes up space in your stomach just like food. There should be a good balance (1-2 glasses per meal).
- Foods that have a high nutrient density and low energy density should be eaten often. Whole (not processed) fruits and vegetables are full of nutrients and typically low in energy molecules (proteins, fats and carbs). Proteins, fats and carbs are the molecules you store.
- If someone starts drinking 8 glasses a day, your body isnt use to it. Most of what you drink will be filtered out. Over time, if you continue this, your body will begin to retain the water in your blood stream. This is not the same thing as water retention. You actually loose "water weight" by drinking more water because of salt/water balance. You retain water with higher salt intake, not water. For a better understanding look up info on the "renin-angiotensin system"
- For the woman with thyroid issues, you can get relief with thyroid hormones. That is probably the only thing (along with diet and excercise) that will help your symptoms. There are many people who are overweight and are that way because they dont take care of themselves. You cannot help your condition. Stay hopeful and positive!! Good luck!
Interesting article and
Interesting article and comments. I do know that for myself, I suffered from chronic constipation for most of my adult life, mainly due to bad eating habits that I obtained from many many years ago. My doctor insisted that I take over-the-counter meds for it (Metamucil, etc.) and drink as much water as I could...he recommended a minimum of 10 glasses a day. Considering my adult height (4'11") and weight (approx. 110 lbs) is under average adult size, I thought this sounded exceeedingly excessive. I wondered how that rule of thumb could apply for everyone, since sizes, shapes and general body makeup differs so greatly from person to person. [I found too, that the regular meds for constipation didn't make much difference for me, and while I upped my water intake (not as much as he recommended) it didn't help a lot.]
Finally discovered on my own that drinking a moderate amount of water in a day and changing my diet worked wonders. Eating quinoa mixed with ground flax, eating healthier fresh vegetables, having a cup of coffee a day, having apples, dried prunes, etc. did the trick. As for water, I do drink it regularly now, but only in moderation (around 4 cups throughout the day, warmed, not cold). I also include soy drinks (in moderation) and fruit juice, usually freshly made at home. And since my diet has changed to include mainly fresh fruits and veggies, I don't think my body's demand for fluids is quite as high, unless it is hot weather and/or I'm particularly active.
Interesting thing to note: I once had a pet rabbit who became totally disabled. And for some reason that I never did discover, at the time that he became disabled, he seemed to not be able to drink water any more. He still ate his meals heartily, but refused to drink. So I began feeding his water to him in a dropper...but then I discovered that if I moistened his vegetables with water, he didn't seem to need that full intake of water any more. He survived quite well without having to drink...seems he got enough fluids from the vegetables themselves, along with the odd supplement of 'spoon-feeding' him a bit of fluid from the dropper. After observing my rabbit for over a year, that's when I began to wonder if what the doctors were saying about "8 to 10 glasses a day" of water intake for humans was accurate.
While I admit I don't know a great deal about nutrition and the body, I do suspect that we don't need nearly as much water as we've been told in the past. If one has a healthy diet of vitamin- and water-rich foods, and learns to listen to what their bodies tell them (I too was one who would reach for foods when I was actually thirsty), then you'll probably find a good balance. Everything in moderation seems to be key.
Drinking Less Water
Howdy,
I have had remarkable health improvements by drinking less water. I've been cured of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, headaces, and chronically being fatigued.
I became a health nut about 15 years ago. Totally ate up whatever advice natural practitioners could offer. One of those was to drink more water...with clear urine being a sign of proper hydration.
I found it odd that the need to pee went away about three days after drinking more water. Then the urine would turn yellow again. Upon researching this, I found that the kidneys adjust to a higher water intake after a few days, and will start to cleanse/increase their efforts as a result of the increase water. At this point, I was drinking 1.75 gallons a day.
There was a time I was donating plasma... I found it odd some people, who drank only 1/3 the amount of water I was drinking, had better hydration than myself. So, I increase intake to 2.5 gallons a day.
After several years of doing this, I started experiencing fatigue, headaches, and started bleeding in the bowel.
Last year, my body shut down and I almost died. Eventhough I had drank eight glasses of water during the day, the hospital found I was severely dehydrated. My pulse was so weak that the alarm on the heart rate monitor kept sounding.
After recovering, the "specialist" diagnosed me with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. He told me that staying hydrated was KEY to not having a relapse. I told him about my two gallons a day, and he said that was good...
But, about four months ago, a co-worker who is taller and much stronger than I, challenged me that I was drinking too much water. He pointed out that he only drinks 32 ounces during the course of the work day. At was totally skeptical. So I started drinking less.
Within three days, the headaches, fatigue, and the majority of IBD symptoms were gone. Within a month, I was totally free of IBD! I wonder how many other people suffer from IBD as a result of drinking too much water.
I make this post simply to share the following note:
With IBD, there is an unusual amount of hydrogen peroxide in the gut, which creates gas. I used to have gas. Don't anymore. Also, with IBD, there is a vitamin A deficiency in the lining of the bowel. Interesting, because vitamin A is water soluble! Researchers openly admit they don't know "why the immune system attacks the body"... I now maintain it is from drinking too much water.
Here's my advice about how much water to drink:
First, I have found that I GET THIRSTY when I've drank too much. In the past, I would continue drink MORE water EVEN when I was already peeing every 45 minutes......because the "doctors" said to drink if you're thirsty. I've experimented with this for several months, and I only get thirsty if I've drank too much.
Second, on that same note...I also get headaches if I start drinking too much. For me, maybe not for you, I know I'm drinking too much if I am going pee more than once every two hours and have a headache. Often, if I have a headache, I don't drink water for the next two hours, and the headache goes away.
Third, is the sign of gas. The main function of the large intestine is to pull water out of the stool. The colon has an amazing ability to absorb gas also! I NO LONGER use gas-pills or enzymes. I simply drink less water. By less, please understand that all of my experimenting has led me to about a gallon a day. Non-activities are around .75 gallons.
Fourth, I've found that clear urine ALWAYS coinsides with headaches, peeing too much, and having gas. Said another way, to drink enough water to have clear urine always puts me in that state. I have actually found that a mild yellow keeps me out of these things. Think about it folk: how have people survived...how have the great armies survived...without needing to carry around two gallons of water per soldier a day.
Now, as to drinking too little. If the urine is solid yellow, I haven't peed in 3 hours, and my head hurts, then I'm dehydrated!
Also, sports induced asthma (which I don't have) is caused by dehydration.
Also, I work at a walking job... When dehydrated, the calf muscles start to knot and get quite tight. When hydrated, they are limber.
Anyway, I've said enough. Just wanted to pass on the message: drink water CREATES thirst, clear urine is TOO MUCH water, having excessive gas is TOO MUCH water, and if you or a loved one has IBD...you just might be drinking too much water.
:o)
litres or GALLONS?!!
litres or GALLONS?!!
HYPONATREMIA
THATS WHAT DRINKING TOO MUCH WATER CAUSES . IRON POOR BLOOD , FLUSHING OUT MEDICATIONS OR DILLUTING THEM , ANEMIA , LETHARGY , FATIGUE , CONVULSIONS ( GRAND MAL TYPE ) , DILLUSION , ABNORMAL THINKING , ABNORMAL NUERON TRANSMISSIONS , RECEPTION, SYNAPSES ,WEIGHT GAIN , WEIGHT LOSS , ABNORMAL APPETITE , CAPPILARY FRAGILITY THROUGH COMPRESSION , ITCHING , BLOOD DISORDERS , VITAMIN B 12 LOSS ALONG WITH OTHER VITAMIN LOSS AND NUTRIENTS , SYMPTOMS THAT MIMIC AIDS SYNDROME , LOW RED BLOOD CELL COUNT , RED BLOOD CELL DESTRUCTION , JUST TO NAME A FEW .
Until today, I haven't heard
Until today, I haven't heard about the ills of drinking too much water. Is this true for all types of water?
The article also doesn't definitively indicate how much is too much. I understand it differs with your circumstance, but will 3 gallons always be too much? How about two gallons? I just want to know if there's a permissible range that already factors in things like weather, activity and metabolism.
Water cure
I would ask the good Doctor to become familiar with what is known as the "Water Cure". Using this knowledge took my Hypertension down from about 160/110 with three medications down to 120/80 in three and a half weeks. I had hypertention for 12 years. Your information regarding water intake needs a little revision so as to not mislead people on what is a vital healing need in your body. Being thirsty is NOT a sign of drinking when necessary. The water cure is something you should know about. Most regular doctors know nothing about it. Yes you are correct in what you say about drinking too much at once but you mislead the folks about chronic dehydration. With respect, Jack Segle
Water
Thanks, Dr. Kim, for posting this. I have been saying for years that the concept that everyone needs eight eight-ounce cups of water a day, no matter their diet, size, level of activity, and so on, is absurd.
And people's idea that water from soup, juice, soda, and food somehow doesn't count is just silly. I have heard this particular little gem from medical professionals, who really should know better.
One question, though. It has always been my understanding that salt causes people to retain water. Thus salt tablets in the desert, and so on. Why do you say that the ingestion of more salt requires more water?
Sorry for posting this behind
Sorry for posting this behind your post Kelly. I could not figure out how to do my own post without just hitting reply.
Anyways, I looked up "effects of drinking too much water" and found this page. I started dieting about a week ago and I have been snacking and eating meals like I should, but so much less that I am still hungry. When I feel the hunger which is about every hour I drink a whole 16.9 oz bottle of water without pause. Whether thats with my snack or meal I still do it to help fill my stomach. Anyone know if drinking this much water is bad? It seems to be helping keep me full at least for a little while after I drink it. I definitely go to the restroom a lot. I dont drink as much after dinner as I do during the day. I pretty much stop after dinner. Any thoughts?