What Happens When You Drink Too Much Water
It’s no secret that staying hydrated is important, but can you overdo it? For people with healthy kidneys, drinking plenty of water is typically safe. In some rare cases, drinking too much water can result in water toxicity.
Though it’s uncommon, it’s important to เล่น UFABET ผ่านมือถือ สะดวกทุกที่ ทุกเวลา understand what can happen if you drink too much water so you can avoid it.
Understanding Water Toxicity
The body relies on both water and electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, to maintain a healthy level of hydration. Electrolytes play an important role in supporting heart, brain and muscle function, and the balance between electrolyte and water levels in the body is key. It is possible to drink more water than your body can handle at one time, and drinking too much water can lead to water toxicity.
When this happens, the extra water is absorbed into cells in the body, causing them to swell. Swelling of brain cells can lead to excess pressure inside your head, which can cause confusion, headache and drowsiness. Nausea and vomiting or muscle cramping may also occur.
How Much Water Is Too Much Water?
Your recommended daily fluid intake depends on factors such as age, gender, physical activity and overall health. The daily recommendations are about 11.5 cups for women and 15.5 cups for men.
While there isn’t a specific limit on how much water is “too much,” drinking small amounts more frequently is generally considered a better practice for hydration than large quantities all at once. As a safety guideline to avoid water toxicity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends not drinking more than 48 ounces (or 6 cups) of fluids per hour.
“As a general rule, the body thrives on balance and water intake is no exception,” nutrition scientist at Abbott specializing in hydration. “To avoid water toxicity, it’s important to drink. When you’re thirsty and listen to your body’s cues to ensure hydration without overconsumption.”
Health Effects of Water Toxicity
What happens when you drink too much water? On a cellular level, drinking too much water can cause low sodium in the blood a condition called hyponatremia. Which can cause serious complications in your body, especially if it happens suddenly. Many other factors can contribute to low sodium levels and the condition should always be taken seriously.