How much water is too much?
You may have been subjected to loads of advice about drinking adequate amount of water. Water therapy is the best way to regulate body temperature in summer. It is also a way to keep infections and diseases at bay. However, experts suggest that one should keep a watch on their water intake. Drinking water when you are thirsty is natural, but when you keep hydrating yourself even when your body doesn't need it, disturbs the fluid balance in your body. Over hydration may damage your body in more ways than you can know.
Sip, don't gulp
The sweltering dry or humid weather will have you craving for water often. However, one must understand that it might just be a feeling and that your body might be well hydrated. Nutritionist Rashmi Somani says, "Dryness in the throat during summer is common. One feels thirsty all the time. This might lead to over hydration. To avoid this, one must adopt a mantra. Sip, don't gulp. Whenever you feel thirsty, just take a sip; don't gulp water. This will keep thirst at bay and will definitely prevent over hydration."
Damage to kidneys
Somani says, "You put your body through extensive pressure when you drink too much of water. Your kidneys have to work extra in this situation. It can lead to damaging their functioning. Usually, drinking appropriate amounts of water helps the kidneys function smoothly, however, over hydration might have a reverse, adverse effect."
Pressure on the heart
You throw your heart off balance if you over hydrate yourself. It increases total blood volume and puts added stress on the heart and blood vessels.
Loss of essential minerals
Over hydration makes you lose essential minerals due to excess urination. Lower levels of sodium can be fatal as well.
Fatigue in the circulatory system
Your body is not designed to hold and process huge amounts of water. Increase in body fluids can be a strain on the circulatory system. This might result in headache, nausea and even acute muscle pain sometimes. Somani concludes, "Your need for water depends on gender, age, height, weight, exercise schedule, daily activity and long-term or short-term illnesses among other factors. This varies for everyone. Therefore, one must also not try to imitate the water drinking habits of others."
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