Water is very important for our life. It not only keeps our body hydrated, but is also essential for digestion, blood flow, controlling body temperature and proper functioning of the brain. We often hear that drinking eight glasses of water a day or that water is important, but do you know that drinking too much water can also be dangerous. In such a situation, let us tell you today what will happen if you drink a lot of water at one go and how dangerous doing so is for our health.

What will happen if you drink a lot of water at once?

Drinking too much at one time, especially too much in a short period of time, can deplete electrolytes such as sodium in the body. When sodium levels become unbalanced, it can cause serious conditions like water intoxication or hyponatremia. In this condition, the cells of the body start swelling with water and the pressure on the brain increases, which can sometimes become a threat to life. Although this condition is very rare in common people, it is more common in people who are athletes and do sports or exercise for long periods of time, suffer from certain diseases and drink a lot of water continuously without feeling thirsty.

How dangerous is it for our health to do this

1. Continuous discharge of clear urine – If your urine is consistently colorless and clear, it is a sign that the body is getting more water than it needs. Light yellow urine is usually a sign of proper hydration, but persistently clear urine may indicate that electrolytes are imbalanced.

2. Urinating early – Urinating more than 8 to 10 times a day can be a sign that the kidneys are working harder to remove extra water. This can also cause deficiency of electrolytes in the body.

3. Nausea, vomiting and dizziness – Drinking too much water causes sodium deficiency in the body, which causes nausea, sometimes vomiting and dizziness. This is often confused with dehydration, whereas it is caused by excessive water intake.

4. Headache due to brain swelling – When sodium decreases in the body, water goes into the brain cells. Due to this, there is swelling in the brain and severe headache starts.

5. Confusion and brain fog – Excess water can affect the normal functioning of the brain. Such people may feel confused, have trouble focusing, irritable or tired.

6. Swelling and change in skin color – Swelling may appear in the hands, legs, lips and face of the body. The skin may appear dull or stretched because excess water accumulates in the cells and tissue.

7. Fatigue and physical weakness – The kidneys work extra hard to remove excess water, making the body feel tired and weak.

8. Muscle cramps – Due to lack of electrolytes, muscle cramps, jerks or tremors may be felt.

9. Risk of seizures – In severe cases, sodium levels may drop rapidly, leading to seizures, fainting, or sudden loss of consciousness.

10. Difficulty in breathing – Swelling of the brain can affect the respiratory system. This can make breathing difficult and can quickly become fatal.

how much water to drink

According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), every person’s water needs are different. It depends on age, body size, activity and season. Generally, adult women should drink about 2.7 liters of water per day and adult men should drink about 3.7 liters of water per day. The amount of water should be taken according to thirst.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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