Can You Drink Too Much Water? Investigating the Possibility

[misskitty]

I had a thought last night as I was finishing my second litre of water. Is it possible to drink too much water?

Now we all know that everyone should get at least two litres of water a day. Now whether every one actually gets that is a different story. Some people like their water flavored or bottled or just don't mind drinking the water out of the tap.

But is it possible for you to drink too much water? How much is too much?

Just some food for thought. Let me know what you think.

 

[Monique]

You can, but it is not likely to drink too much water. The condition is called water intoxication or hyponatremia, basically what happens is that electrolytes leach out of your body upsetting your nervous system.

http://www.hhp.ufl.edu/keepingfit/ARTICLE/toomuchwater.htm

 

[Phobos]

check out this recent news story...
http://www.chicoer.com/Stories/0,1413,135%257E25088%257E2719634,00.html

A Chico State University student died Wednesday morning following what police have termed "fraternity pledge activities." ...

Authorities are looking into reports that he and other pledges may have been forced to drink large quantities of water and exercise heavily, inducing a sometimes deadly condition called hyponatremia...

...alcohol didn't appear to be involved in the activities.

Hyponatremia - drinking large amounts of water and sweating heavily can reduce electrolyte levels in your bloodstream to dangerous levels.

Now we all know that everyone should get at least two litres of water a day.

Just wanted to mention that the "8-glasses of water a day" thing is likely an urban legend. Info here...http://www.snopes.com/toxins/water.htm

 

[misskitty]

Phobos, I read through your link. Thats some pretty good information there.

Curious, is my drinking two and a half litres (because that how much I had over the course of the day), a bad thing?

How do you replenish your electrolites?

 

[loseyourname]

check out this recent news story...
http://www.chicoer.com/Stories/0,1413,135%257E25088%257E2719634,00.html

I was just about the mention that. It happened only about 100 miles or so from here and caused a huge stir among the Greek community. Apparently, the fraternity in question had no official sanction from whatever national board that recognizes Greek organizations. It is also curious that they used the water hazing technique in an apparent effort to distance themselves from the tradition of alcohol binging, figuring this would be healthier.

 

[hypatia]

eat bananas..and a slup of gatoraid...there's also a whole host of stuff you can buy at the vitimen store.

 

[loseyourname]

It's actually best, as hypatia intimates, to get most of your water directly from your food, by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. This is the way the humanoid line evolved after moving out of the rainforest. Even back in the rainforest, chimpanzees and bonobos get most of their water from fruit, supplemented by wringing wet leaves. The only major source of standing water in most ranges is the Zaire river, which isn't the safest source (both predation and infection are concerns).

 

[misskitty]

I wouldn't think that it would be. So basically, eat fruits and other foods and you can get water and electrolites.