Can drinking too much water kill you? Here's everything you need to know

Did you know that drinking too much water can kill you? Experts recommend eight glasses a day as a good starting point, but what happens when you take more than the body can handle?

Staying hydrated is important for keeping bodily functions running smoothly, such as the urinary and digestive tracts and circulatory systems which pumps blood to the heart.

It is important to note that drinking too little water can lead to dehydration and in, extreme cases, cause even death. People are capable of drinking both too much and too little water, though the latter is more common.

Experts note that drinking too much water has potentially dangerous impacts because it affects the body's electrolyte balance.

So, what is the right balance?

Water poisoning happens when you drink too much water in a short amount of time, or if you have underlying medical issues that cause your kidneys to retain too much water.

Although there are no verified guidelines for the amount of water you need to drink daily, the general recommendation is two litres of water per day, on average, per person, and that's throughout the day. How much your body needs vary and depends on physical activity level, climate and body weight.

What are the signs that you are taking too much water?

The colour of your urine is a great indicator of your water consumption habits. It usually ranges from pale yellow to tea-colored due to the combination of the pigment and the water level in the body. If the urine is often clear, it’s a sign you’re drinking too much water in a short span.

Drinking water without feeling thirsty

Drinking water without feeling thirsty is a clear indication that you are overhydrating. Recognising when your body requires water is important when it comes to preventing excessive consumption. Your body may protect itself from dehydration by alerting you when it's time to drink some water. Your body's reaction to dehydration is thirst, and you should follow that feeling.

Nausea or vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are another symptom of overhydration; when you have too much water in the body, the kidneys can't remove the excess liquid. It starts collecting in the body, leading to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Tiredness or fatigue

Drinking too much water forces your kidneys to work too hard to remove the excess amount. This leads to a hormone reaction that makes you feel stressed and tired.

Other symptoms of water intoxication can include feeling irritable, lethargic, more easily distractible or confused, and in most critical cases, seizures and comas or even death.

Water makes up a substantial part of the body and is essential to cell survival and function. When it needs more water, your body will let you know. Excessive water consumption can result in life-threatening illnesses. If you are unsure about the recommended daily intake of water, follow the widely accepted recommendation of eight glasses.

If you regularly find yourself drinking a lot of water over a short period of time, it’s best to stick with drinking water at the first feeling of thirst. Once you feel quenched, hold off until you start to feel thirsty again.