What Happens If You Drink Too Much Water?

What Happens If You Drink Too Much Water?

This post will tell you everything you need to know about what happens if you drink too much water and it’s largely based on a TED animated cartoon: original lesson by Mia Nacamulli, narration by Addison Anderson and animation by Chris Bishop. The talk ‘cartoon’ is also called “What Happens If You Drink Too Much Water?”

Water Is Everywhere…

Water is virtually everywhere from soil moisture and ice caps to the cells inside our own bodies.

Depending on factors like location, your fat index, age and sex – the average human being is between 55 – 60% water.

At birth, human babies are even wetter because they are 75% water. This makes them more similar to fish but their water composition drops to 65% by their first birthday.

Babies are 75% water

Babies are 75% water

What Does Water Do For The Body?

So, what role does water play in our bodies and how much do we actually need to drink to stay healthy? The H20 in our bodies works to cushion and lubricate joints, regulate temperature and to nourish the brain and spinal cord.

Water isn’t only in our blood, an adults brain and heart are almost three-quarters (75%) water – that’s roughly equivalent to the amount of moisture in a banana. Lungs are more similar to an apple at 83% and even seemingly dry human bones are 31% water.

Your brain and heart are almost three-quarters water.

Your brain and heart are almost three-quarters water.

If we are essentially made of water and surrounded by water then why do we still need to drink so much? Well, each day we lose 2 to 3 litres through our sweat, urine and bowel movements. We even lose water just while breathing. While these functions are essential to our survival we need to compensate for the fluid loss.

Why Is Water Good For You?

Maintaining a balanced water level is essential to avoid dehydration or over-hydration, both of which can have devastating effects on your overall health. At first detection, your “low water level” sensory receptor in the brain hypothalamus signals the release of the antidiuretic hormone and when this hormone reaches the kidneys it creates aquaporin channels that enables your blood to absorb and retain more water, leading to concentrated dark urine.

Dehydration impairs your body’s normal functions.

Dehydration impairs your body’s normal functions.

An increase in dehydration can cause notable drops in energy, mood, skin moisture and blood pressure as well as signs of cognitive impairment. A dehydrated brain works harder to accomplish the same amount as a normal brain and it even temporarily shrinks because of its lack of water.

What Happens If You Drink Too Much Water?

Over-hydration or hyponatremia is usually caused by over consumption of water in a short amount of time. Athletes are often victims of over-hydration because of complications in regulating water levels during extreme physical conditions. Whereas the dehydrated brain amps up the production of antidiuretic hormones. The over-hydrated brain slows or even stops releasing it into the blood.

Can you die from drinking too much water?

Well while you are over-hydrated, sodium electrolytes in the body become diluted causing cells to swell. In severe cases the kidneys can’t keep up with the resulting volumes of dilute urine. This leads to water intoxication, possibly causing headaches, vomiting and in a rare instances seizures or death.

Drinking too much water is called “hyponatremia”

Drinking too much water is called “hyponatremia”

In essence the answer to the question: what happens if you drink too much water? is that it could ultimately lead to death. But that’s a pretty extreme situation. Maintaining a well hydrated body is easy to manage for those of us fortunate enough to have access to clean drinking water. For a long time, conventional wisdom said that we should drink 8 glasses of water a day but that estimate has since been fine tuned. Now the consensus is that the amount of water you need to drink depends largely on your body weight and environment.

The recommended daily intake varies from between 2.52 – 3.7 litres of water for men and about 2.2 – 2.7 litres for women.

The recommended daily intake varies from between 2.52 – 3.7 litres of water for men and about 2.2 – 2.7 litres for women.

The range shown in the picture above is pushed up or down if you are healthy, active, old or overheating. While water is the healthiest hydrator, other beverages, even those with caffeine like coffee or tea replenish fluids as well. And water within food makes up about a fifth of your daily h20 intake. Fruits and vegetables like strawberries, cucumbers and even broccoli are over 90% water and can supplement liquid intake while providing valuable nutrients and fibre.

Why Is It Important To Drink Water?

Drinking well might also have various long-term benefits. Studies have shown that optimal hydration can lower the chances of stroke, help manage diabetes and potentially reduce the risk of certain types of cancers.

Water is better than tea and coffee at hydration.

Water is the ideal form of hydration.

No matter what, getting the right amount of liquid makes a world of difference in how you’ll feel, think and function day to day.

What happens if you drink too much water? Watch this handy video to find out.

Can I Give My Baby Water?

In general, a new born baby should not drink water until they are round 6 months old. Until then, they will get all their hydration from formula or breast milk and this is the case even if the weather is hot. Once your baby is 6 months old, it is okay to let them have a few sips of water when they’re thirsty.

However, if the baby is fully breastfed then they won’t need to drink water until they have started eating solid foods. Though bottle-fed babies might need additional water in warm and hot weather.

If your baby is under 6 months old, then it is not advisable to give them tap water and if you have to, make sure you boil it first. You will need to cool down the tap water after boiling and remember that water is not sterile when it comes straight from the tap.

Water for babies over the age of 6 months does not need to be boiled.

Bottled water is not recommended for making baby formula because they may contain too much sulphate or salt (sodium).

Infographic: How Much Water Should I Drink?

Fail-Proof Ways To Drink More Water

Get A Specific Daily Water Goal

Now you know what happens if you drink too much water, the next step is to avoid drinking too little water. For instance, maybe you are already drinking a good amount of water every day but know you need more — or maybe it might just be that you don’t drink enough. Whatever the case may be the first step is always to work out how much you drink on an average day and then work out how much you need. Try to be specific as possible, so you know exactly how many glasses, cups or bottles it translates into. Use this handy daily water in take calculator to find out how much water you need.

Cheat With Water-based Foods.

All have a high water content and can help add to your overall hydration.

Failing That, Eat Something Spicy.

Source: cheezburger.com

Spicy foods will force you to drink water (as shown in the humorous gif above) so feel free to garnish your meal with hot chili’s and peppers. Apart from making you drink more water, spicy foods also have the added benefits of boosting your metabolism.

Add Other (non-alcoholic) Drinks.

As discussed in the TED-Ed cartoon breakdown at the start of this post, you don’t just need to get your water from actually drinking water.

You can also get it from places like coffee and tea.

But whatever you do, don’t drink alcohol thinking it counts as water. Sadly, it doesn’t.

Make It Interesting With Sparkling Water + Fruit

Did you know that sparkling water has essentially zero calories, just like water?

But it also gives you the feeling of drinking a soft drink and is very hydrating.

However, you might desperately need to satisfy a sweet tooth. If this is the case then add a small splash of sugar free squash into the mix.

It tastes like any can of soft drink you can find but with a fraction of the calories.

You can try something like the product below, which is 0 calories, 100% natural, easy to store and use.

I'm a health author, science enthusiast and 100% certified geek. My passion is to help you take control of your health and well-being by understanding the true importance of good quality water and healthy hydration.