Water is a precious natural resource in Florida, and it is said that supplies are dwindling. Desalinization (salt removal) of ocean water has been recommended as a solution to the problem. Why shouldn't we drink salt water?
2007-02-07 11:49:22 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
This is a great question and it deals completely with Kidney Function. The salinity of the ocean is much higher than the concentration the kidney can get to. Actually since the kidney works on concentration gradients when the concentration were to hit the loop of henle the body would give up water to make the water the same salinity as the human body thereby causing you to lose water.
On an interesting side note the Salt marsh harvest mouse can actually live on seawater and the reason is that there kidney's can concentrate urine down much further than the human kidney!
Hope that helps.
2007-02-07 12:07:04 · answer #1 · answered by Brainiac 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as the water is desalinized, it's a great idea. If it's not, just drinking straight salt water will actually have the opposite effect. Too much sodium (salt) in your system actually prevents your body from being able to absorb the water it needs. Humans can actually survive between two and three months without food but only 2-3 days without water! Hope that helps!
2007-02-07 11:55:40 · answer #2 · answered by answergrrl3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We do not drink salt water because we are not trained, taught, designed, or made to do so. The salty taste is irritating and there are better choices than an irritating drink. Taking a lot of ocean water is unhealthy and dangerous. Too much salt overloads the kidney in the long run. Other commercial drinks are also unhealthy and I met doctors who claim that too much water is unhealthy, too.
2007-02-07 22:15:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Basic answer is, because it will make you sick.
Sea water is 3 times saltier than blood. Your body is built to handle fresh water, not salt water. When you drink it, your body cells leak water to try to dilute and carry off the sudden intake of salt. You would become dehydrated.
In extreme situations, dehydration will lead to seizures, unconsciousness, and brain damage. Meanwhile, the overworked blood cells carry the salt to the kidneys, which eventually become overwhelmed and shut down. Without functioning kidneys you die. That is why we don't drink seawater.
2007-02-07 11:57:20 · answer #4 · answered by morningfoxnorth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ocean water is about 4% salt. The maximum saltiness of urine is about 2%. Too much salt in the body will kill you. You do the math.
2007-02-07 12:04:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope......why would u drink it?all dat salt could get u sick......so why bother???????
2007-02-07 11:58:26 · answer #6 · answered by lil yankee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it will make you even thirstier
2007-02-07 11:57:00 · answer #7 · answered by Steve P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋