In recent years we have heard it more and more often: stay hydrated! We are all encouraged to drink more water every day and fortunately many succeed in doing so. However, ‘overhydrating’ is a thing and drinking too much water is not good for you. But why exactly? And how much water is too much water?
Also read: How bad is it to withhold your big message?
Drinking too much water?
Drinking more water per day has many benefits; you get shinier skin, you are healthier, you have more focus, and much more. The positive effects of water seem to be endless. Until you consume too much of it. Because yes, you can also exaggerate with drinking water. And that can cause negative effects on your body…
What happens if you drink too much water?
As you may know, our bodies are made up of seventy percent water. It is therefore – logically – very important that we consume enough H2O. Unfortunately, it is also possible that you have drunk one Stanley or Hydroflask too many and that is not good for you. What then happens in your body is that the electrolyte levels in your body become disrupted. If you are often ‘overhydrated’, you will feel the same things as if you drink too little water.
Drinking too much water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication or hyponatremia. Although water is essential for the body, excessive consumption can cause serious health problems.
Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia is a condition in which the sodium concentration in the blood is abnormally low. Sodium is essential for maintaining the balance of fluids in and around the cells of your body. Drinking too much water can overwhelm the kidneys, making them unable to excrete the excess water quickly enough. It is therefore important to keep both your water intake and your electrolytes in balance.
How much is too much?
At what point do you drink too much water? And at what time do you drink enough? This answer will differ for everyone, because while one person needs 1.5 liters of water per day, another needs 3 liters. So we are not going to give you exact liters. What we can do is advise you to look at your urine. We know, it’s not very fresh, but it is a useful indicator to see if you’ve had enough water. Therefore, look at the color of your pee: if it is dark, you could use some hydration. If it is very clear, you might want to wait a while before taking your next glass.
