Staying well-hydrated is one of the most recommended lifestyle changes that experts recommend to ward off and manage diseases and illnesses. However, too much water is actually quite detrimental to your health.
This debate was recently sparked following Chris Pratt’s comments surrounding his water intake to achieve his Avengers body. Talking to a leading publication, Pratt revealed that he drinks one ounce of water for each pound the actor weighs. “I was peeing all day, every day,” Pratt said. “That part was a nightmare.”
To understand the detriments of too much water intake, the team of OnlyMyHealth spoke to Dr Sanjay Kumar, General Physician, Cygnus Laxmi Hospital.
Water Toxicity
Pratt was advised about his water intake by a nutritionist, and his methods mean that if he weighs over 200 lbs, he probably drinks more than 5.6 litres of water every day. Experts are saying that this is simply too much and could result in water poisoning.
Pratt’s intense fitness and diet regime has sparked concerns in the online medical community. According to experts from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, excessive water intake can lead to water toxicity with symptoms ranging from poor mental status, disorientation, confusion, nausea, and vomiting to psychosis.
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“Drinking too much water in a short span dilutes blood sodium levels, causing electrolyte imbalance known as hyponatremia or water intoxication. This imbalance is characterised by nausea, vomiting, confusion, muscle cramps, seizures, and even coma,” shared Dr Kumar. Athletes, particularly those engaged in endurance sports, are at a higher risk of overhydration due to excessive fluid intake without replenishing electrolytes lost through sweat.
Monitoring Hydration Levels
The advent of applications that remind people to drink water is proof that dehydration and over-hydration are subconscious consequences. This means that people are not actively deciding to drink too much or too little water, rather they are overlooking their daily intake.
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To help people make informed choices, Dr Kumar shared, “To monitor hydration, pay attention to your thirst. Your body is designed to tell you when it needs water. Following the '8x8 rule' which suggests eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily, which is approximately 2 litres of water, can help you. However, this is not a universally applicable standard but rather a starting point for consideration.”
“Monitoring your urine colour is another helpful measure. Pale yellow urine typically means proper hydration, while completely transparent urine suggests over-hydration,” he added.
To sum it up, Chris Pratt’s water intake seems bizarre and following his regime could be dangerous for an average person like you and me. Dr Kumar concluded by saying that water toxicity can be life-threatening. He advised that if you're uncertain about your ideal water intake, consult a healthcare professional for your specific circumstances to make sure neither you are drinking too much or too little water.