Is there such a thing as drinking too much water?


Yes, and there is even a technical term for it: water intoxication!

In healthy people, the amount of water we drink is controlled by our thirst mechanism, located in the brain. We consume water in the form of liquids (juice, milk, soda) and also in foods (primarily fruits and vegetables). The only foods that DON'T contain water are commercially dehydrated foods.

Healthy adults require approximately three quarts of fluid each day. About half of this comes from food, with the remainder from beverages, hence the advice to drink eight cups of liquid each day. If you exercise, are breastfeeding, are ill, or live in a hot climate, your fluid needs are higher than the three quarts each day.

However, it is possible to drink too much water if you put your mind to it. We're talking A LOT OF WATER, more than is possible under normal circumstances. Often associated with other obsessive-compulsive behaviors, drinking large amounts of water can be hazardous. Too much water in our system causes the dilution of essential electrolytes in our blood stream, which has implications for control of heart beat. My recommendation is 8-12 cups of fluid, combined with additional fluid to support exercise or hot conditions. If you're drinking more than this, consult your physician.


Source: Lynn Grieger

Lynn Grieger teaches college-level nutrition courses, works with private clients and consults with community groups on healthy nutrition and weight loss.

You can never drink too much beer though!!!, IMHO :B:

yes, but can you drink too much diet coke?

Tell me more Dr. Science!

The key is moderation in everything. I think that excessive amounts of anything can be detrimental to your health.


Dr Science.

Lleena said:

Thatssch jusss pure Bollox!!

xenon said:

Oh... I forgot to add. Except for drinking and Sex.

Burp.

Dr. Science, just how much does a ballsac weigh?

how much is 'three quarts' can u give me that in liters?

water intoxication is a flawed term bcause water on it's own does not contain elements that harm one's body

moreover, non of us would b able 2 drink enouh water bcause our stomach and/or bladder wouldn't b able 2 hold it. 'Water intoxication', as it is called, is only possible when u display, as u said, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and train u'rself 4 months on 2 drink as much water as possible.

AaronUnlimited said:

And how does one weigh a ballsac? Just put your nuts up on a scale? Seems like there'd be more to it.

AaronUnlimited said:

That depends how big they are.

wouldn't this be called Drowning?

XNY said:

yes, that's why i'm asking...

Lleena said:

no, not the balls. just the sac itself.

AaronUnlimited said:

I would love to discuss this with you Aaron, but I havo no Idea.

Lleena said:

C'mon, can't you just "ball"park it for us.

xenon said:

Cheers!

Candy-asses! You humans just can't hold your water! Us Gill-people drink about 3000gallons of the stuff a day! Humans are pussies!

Lleena said:

even flossing? even that?

XxAxX said:

YES! that would leave you gumless.

this is true, drinking to much water contributed to the death of my grandmother.she wasnt able to regulate how much she was drinking in here mind, so she always kept a water glass beside her and apparently drank constantly.her electrolites got all messed up which led to far worse things happening.eventually she passed away due to complications.hope your info helps someone else, or reminds someone to watch out for those who cant watch out for them selves.thanks!

I'm sorry to hear that mpls777.

You are welcome.
[This message was edited Tue Jan 21 16:54:22 PST 2003 by Lleena]

Hmmm... I drink at least a gallon of water a day. I have always heard though that if you don't drink water regularly, that you should start slowly and not just start drinking gobs of it.

It seems like there was some diet out years ago, where you were supposed to take pills or something with a ton of water and a lot of people ended up in the hospital because their body couldn't handle the enormous amounts of water they were intaking so suddenly.

Lleena said:

Definately! one can & has drowned rinking too much water.

AzureStar said:

i've heard a gallon is good too. more than that would be hard to handle, i think.

i get a liter or two per day.

a woman here at work seems to have this compulsion. she spends a LOT of time on refills and trips to the bathroom!!!