Drinking too much water can be harmful

/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

Water is colorless, tasteless and odorless, however without it life would not have been possible. We all accept that water is the most important substance in our evolution and our daily lives, but does it have any outward impact on our health?

Although doctors always advise us to drink a lot of water, drinking too much can be even worse.

Recent research has confirmed the famous saying by classic Azerbaijani poet of the 12th century Nizami Ganjavi that “pure water can hurt as well if over-consumed.” Researchers at Harvard University came to a decision that consuming too much fluid is harmful.

The overconsumption of liquid in a sun-soaked country like Azerbaijan is not surprising. People here try to quench their thirst by drinking black tea, which occupies a special place in their daily lives. What is more, the quantity of cups is not limited to one or two, and very often a tea party can last even a few hours.

Experts believe that drinking huge quantities of water is linked to extreme sweating problems i.e. body tries to rid itself of the excess.

Doctors urge people not to drink too much water in one gulp as it may cause the body to rid itself of essential substances like salts and chlorides.

Dr Frankie Phillips, of the British Dietetic Association explains that if we drink a lot of water in a short time, then kidneys become unable to function properly and salt levels in the blood decline, causing headaches or water intoxication.

Azerbaijan’s Aran region, in contrast, is considered an appropriate place to help treat kidney diseases. In the summer, people with kidney ailments can drink sufficient amounts of water without fear, as the heat helps to sweat out excess fluids from body.

Drinking too much before going to sleep may also end up disrupting your sleep,
according to a Daily Mail interview of Professor Mark Whiteley, a vascular surgeon consultant and founder of The Whiteley Clinic in London.

The fact is that when we fall asleep, our brain release anti-diuretic hormone, which helps retard kidney function. That’s why we do not feel the need to urinate at night.

Drinking excessive amounts of water overcomes this hormonal function and forces you to wake up often.

There have been cases when drinking large amounts of water have led to water poisoning.

Jacqueline Henson, a 40-year-old mother died of water intoxication in 2008 after drinking four liters of water within a couple of hours as part of her strict diet.

But how can you tell that you are drinking enough amount of water? Fortunately, our body is equipped with a mechanism that tells us when we need to replenish our water supply.

Doctors advise that people drink two liters of water per day.

Scientists warn that the amount of fluid consumed per day should be two liters total, together with plain water and food. They explain this by saying that one consumes a sufficient volume of water contained in fruit, vegetables and liquid foods as well.

It is better to replenish your body with enough water when you feel thirsty. When our body loses one to two percent of its total water content, it signals you by making you feel thirsty.

The color of your urine is also an important marker to determine whether the water you drink in a day is enough.

Usually our urine should be a light-colored yellow. Dark-colored urine means you aren't drinking enough water. It means that your kidneys are retaining fluids in order to maintain your bodily functions.

Meanwhile, doctors recommend that you increase the volume of fluid intake in warm climates.