It’s time to shatter the myth that more water is always better. A nephrologist offers a medical perspective on healthy drinking habits, warning that overconsumption can be surprisingly harmful. The key to good health is not volume, but balance.
The kidneys are the body’s master chemists, responsible for filtering waste and balancing fluids. They are highly efficient and require a steady, but not excessive, amount of water to function—typically 2 to 3 liters per day for most adults.
Forcing your body to process large quantities of water, such as five or six liters daily, doesn’t improve kidney health. It actually puts them under stress and can lead to a dilution of the body’s essential electrolytes, particularly sodium.
This dilution can result in a serious medical condition called hyponatremia, or water intoxication. The symptoms can be severe, including neurological issues like confusion and seizures, and may require hospitalization.
It’s crucial to tailor your water intake to your needs. High-performance athletes have different requirements than office workers. For the vast majority of people, the most reliable guides are the body’s own signals: thirst and the color of your urine. A light yellow hue indicates you’re perfectly hydrated.
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