Too much of a good thing
Water is vital to life, a fact we all know to be true. However what many don't know is that too much water is actually bad for you, and can be fatal.
This was the case for David Rogers, a 22 year old fitness instructor, who died after finishing his first London Marathon this year. The cause of death?
Drinking too much water. We take a look at some of the dangers.
The case of the runner who died during the London Marathon after drinking too much water is not an isolated one. A Californian woman, Jennifer Strange, took part in a radio show competition entitled 'Hold your wee for a Wii', that promised the winner a Nintendo Wii. The competition involved drinking large quantities of water without any toilet breaks. She left claiming she had a headache and was later found dead in her home.
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The typical symptoms of hyponatraemia are nausea, vomiting, headaches and malaise. Confusion, diminished reflexes, convulsions and coma can occur if the conditions worsen. As nausea itself stimulates the secretion of a hormone responsible for water retention, less water is excreted and patients can enter a vicious cycle. It is quite difficult to recognise the warning signs, as the confusion seen can often be mistaken for drug or alcohol abuse.
Although drinking too much water is not good for our bodies, this is only in extreme cases, so you're not exempt from drinking 8 glasses a day. Water is essential to our diets. A 2% drop in the body's water supply will trigger signs of dehydration. A common cause of daytime fatigue is mild dehydration.
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Water is the base for saliva and the fluid that surrounds joints and is the substance that regulates body temperature. Water suppresses the appetite and helps the body use up stored fat. Insufficient water intake can lead to kidney damage, as waste products excreted by the kidneys like urea, uric acid and lactic acid must be dissolved in water. Constipation is a symptom of dehydration, so drinking more water will alleviate this unpleasant problem.
During exercise it is important to keep hydrated, as you're losing water via perspiration. Drinking water when you're exercising reduces cardiovascular stress and improves performance. The more active you are, the more water you need to drink to replenish what you lose. It's also important to maintain
salt balance in the body, as salts are also lost through sweat. Drinking isotonic drinks can help this. Take regular water breaks during your workout to help prevent dehydration.
Is sparkling water better for you or will it give you cellulite? Will drinking too much water leave you feeling bloated? If you're not thirsty you don't need to drink, right? Wrong. There are so many myths floating about its easy to get confused. We bust those water myths you may be misguidedly adhering to.
Water facts
If you don't feel thirsty you don't need water.
Chances are, if you wait until you're thirsty before you have a drink, you're already dehydrated. Instead, drink water throughout the day by
keeping a water bottle close to hand. This will help keep you refreshed by warding off fatigue.
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2. Too much water can drown your kidneys.
Water is essential for maintaining kidney health, as it helps flush toxins through. It also aids in the removal of waste products such as urea. For those with a history of kidney stones, drinking more water can prevent reoccurrences as it dissolves the stones.
3. You can never drink enough water.
Drinking excessive amounts of water without allowing for its removal can lead to water intoxication which can in fact kill you.
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4. Too much water causes bloating.
Water retention is not caused by drinking more water, but instead by hormonal changes or poor circulation. In fact drinking more water can help relieve the symptoms of bloating, as it flushes excess sodium that can cause bloating out of cells.
5. Sparkling water is better for you than still water.
There is no difference between the two, the choice is down to preference rather than benefits. However some dentists claim sparkling water is more acidic and therefore is more harmful to your teeth than still.
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6. Sparkling water gives you cellulite.
There is no evidence to suggest this, especially given the fact that sparkling and still water are virtually the same. If anything, it helps to flush out toxins that contribute to cellulite.
7. Coffee and tea count as a cup of water.
Although they do contribute to the recommended daily water intake, coffee and tea are also diuretics. This means they actually rob the body of water by promoting water loss in the urine. So for every cup of coffee or tea you drink, you'll need an extra glass of water to compensate.
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8. Sports drinks vs water.
Which is better, an energy packed sports drink, or plain old water? The truth depends on what kind of exercise you're planning on. If you're going to be exercising for an hour or less, you'll become dehydrated through sweating, and you can replenish this by drinking water. However during prolonged strenuous activities such as marathon running, an isotonic sports drink will probably serve you better. This is because such beverages are enhanced with glucose for energy, but more importantly electrolyse to renew salt lost through sweating, which inadvertently helps retain more water to keep you hydrated for longer
