Is it bad to drink too much water?

Question

I drink like 10 liters of water a day or even more

Answer 1

Can You Really Drink Too Much Water?

In a word, yes. Drinking too much water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication and to a related problem resulting from the dilution of sodium in the body, hyponatremia. Water intoxication is most commonly seen in infants under six months of age and sometimes in athletes. A baby can get water intoxication as a result of drinking several bottles of water a day or from drinking infant formula that has been diluted too much. Athletes can also suffer from water intoxication. Athletes sweat heavily, losing both water and electrolytes. Water intoxication and hyponatremia result when a dehydrated person drinks too much water without the accompanying electrolytes.

What Happens During Water Intoxication?

When too much water enters the body's cells, the tissues swell with the excess fluid. Your cells maintain a specific concentration gradient, so excess water outside the cells (the serum) draws sodium from within the cells out into the serum in an attempt to re-establish the necessary concentration. As more water accumulates, the serum sodium concentration drops -- a condition known as hyponatremia. The other way cells try to regain the electrolyte balance is for water outside the cells to rush into the cells via osmosis. The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from higher to lower concentration is called osmosis. Although electrolytes are more concentrated inside the cells than outside, the water outside the cells is 'more concentrated' or 'less dilute' since it contains fewer electrolytes. Both electrolytes and water move across the cell membrane in an effort to balance concentration. Theoretically, cells could swell to the point of bursting.

From the cell's point of view, water intoxication produces the same effects as would result from drowning in fresh water. Electrolyte imbalance and tissue swelling can cause an irregular heartbeat, allow fluid to enter the lungs, and may cause fluttering eyelids. Swelling puts pressure on the brain and nerves, which can cause behaviors resembling alcohol intoxication. Swelling of brain tissues can cause seizures, coma and ultimately death unless water intake is restricted and a hypertonic saline (salt) solution is administered. If treatment is given before tissue swelling causes too much cellular damage, then a complete recovery can be expected within a few days.

It's Not How Much You Drink, It's How Fast You Drink It!

The kidneys of a healthy adult can process fifteen liters of water a day! You are unlikely to suffer from water intoxication, even if you drink a lot of water, as long as you drink over time as opposed to intaking an enormous volume at one time. As a general guideline, most adults need about three quarts of fluid each day. Much of that water comes from food, so 8-12 eight ounce glasses a day is a common recommended intake. You may need more water if the weather is very warm or very dry, if you are exercising, or if you are taking certain medications. The bottom line is this: it's possible to drink too much water, but unless you are running a marathon or an infant, water intoxication is a very uncommon condition.

Answer 2

Some bodybuilders drink as much as 2 gallons a day -- or more.

We don't know anything about your lifestyle or size.

I live in Phoenix, AZ, where the mid-day temperature last week was around 114 degrees. If you are outside and active here, you MUST drink more water than you'd expect.

If your diet is high in protein, you need more water. If you sweat a lot, you need electrolytes and water. If you have a really salty diet, you need more water. Yes, you CAN get too much water -- in which case you'd typically feel lightheaded -- but it's hard to say, it all depends on you.

Either way, you are telling us you are drinking more than 2.5 gallons a day, or as much as 3 -- my guess is that that's an extreme amount and I wonder why you are getting that much.

Maybe you are a huge linebacker build and that's fine. but if you are short and thin, there's probably something wrong -- maybe check with a doctor...

Good Luck :)

Answer 3

Drinking alot of water is great. Especially if you work in the hot sun but lower it down to about 3 liters a day but if you are outside alot make it around 5 liters a day. Too much water can be bsd for you and get you sick.

Answer 4

Actually if you drink more than 120 fluid ounces of water, it is bad for you. Anywhere from 90-120fl oz is the maximum anyone should drink. Anything beyond that can cause you to flush out your electrolytes, and good bacteria that your kidneys need in order to function properly. Be careful, and watch your water intake. I usually consume no more or less than 100 fl oz a day which is perfect according to any doctor.

Answer 5

the perfect amount is .8 Li an hour.. if you maintain that.. perfect.. otherwise any more then that theres no use in drinking it.. because you'll already have enough water and it'll just go through your system and not be processed.. so it'll just be peed out.. if you still continue to drink too much then your cells will burst.. (thats like if you drank a whollllllle bunch though)

Answer 6

You can never drink too much water...the only down fall is you having to use the restroom 20 million times a day!!

Answer 7

You probably have a serious health condition. I drink five and that is considered a lot. I am constantly being tested for diabetes because the doctors think I could develop it at any time. Get a blood test done and talk to your doctor to see if there is anything you should get checked for. The longer that you put it off can cause more damage to your body.

Answer 8

That depends. If your very active.. then no. Because you'll be sweating alot and your body will be needing the replenishment.

The only real bad side affect is that you'll be peeing NON STOP!

10 liters is pretty high though.. check out this website.
www.caloriesperhour.com
It has an faq and there's a section about water consumption.

Answer 9

Your body is made up of 50% water. I would say your safe. No you can never drink to much water. Water helps flush your system. Its good for you....

Answer 10

I think your kidneys can handle something like 14 gallons/day. You're plenty shy of that. You really have to drink a ridiculous amount of water for it to be bad, but there is a limit. I'd link to the article, but I can't remember where I read it.