[기원상의 팩트체크] Is drinking a lot of water good for your health?… Drinking too much can lead to death

Over 60% of our body is made up of water, making water the most essential element for sustaining life. Drinking enough water boosts metabolism and helps regulate body temperature, so it’s a good idea to drink a recommended amount of water each day that’s right for you. .

However, water, which is an essential element, cannot be consumed in excess. If you drink too much water for your health, it can endanger your health and even your life. In foreign countries, we often hear news about people dying after consuming too much water.

What is the appropriate amount of water per day?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults consume 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day. This equates to about 8 to 10 cups per day. It varies according to individual conditions such as activity level and temperature, and since water can be consumed through food, water intake should be adjusted according to the amount of food eaten.

However, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you drink no more than 1.4 liters, or 6 glasses, per hour. This is because drinking 1.4 liters per hour can cause signs of inflammation in cells, including the brain.

What are the symptoms of drinking too much water?

If you drink too much water in a short period of time, the kidneys cannot excrete too much water and the fluid dilutes the blood too much, causing a rapid decrease in sodium concentration. The normal level of sodium in the blood is 135 to 145 thousand equivalents (mEq / L), but when it falls below 135 thousand equivalents, symptoms of hyponatremia appear.

As moisture moves into the brain cells, the brain swells as well. This starts with mild symptoms such as headache and nausea, but as it worsens, it can lead to cognitive impairment, impaired consciousness, seizures, etc., and in extreme cases, even death. .

What are the dangers of drinking too much water?

Recently, in Australia, a woman suffering from a cold drank too much water on her doctor’s advice, suffered a seizure, and almost lost her life. At the time, the woman’s sodium level was 100 thousand equivalents. Since it was at least 135 millimeters equivalent, it was a very low figure.

Last year, there was an accident in the United States where a mother of two children drank 2 liters of water in 20 minutes because she was thirsty while traveling and she suffered severe cerebral swelling and died.

In particular, hyponatremia is one of the causes of death for the late Bruce Lee (Bruce Lee), a Chinese-American actor and ‘legend of kung fu’ who died at the age of 33 in 1973.

The causes of his death were described as ‘cannabis inhalation’, ‘hypersensitivity to aspirin and painkillers’, ‘heat-stroke’, and ‘excess fluid intake’.

Last year, researchers from the School of Medicine at the Autonomous University of Madrid in Spain said, “We assume that Bruce Lee died from a specific type of kidney disorder. He maintained a regular diet of water based alcohol and juice, which he could have. has led to hyponatremia and cerebral edema.” It has been suggested that excess water may be the cause of death.

He continued, “Hyponatremia is common, found in up to 40% of hospital patients, and even healthy young people can die if they drink too much water. .

How should I drink water?

Drinking water properly is beneficial for your body.

Drinking water in the morning helps with constipation by stimulating the movement of the stomach and intestines. However, water that is too cold can hinder blood circulation, so it is better to drink water that is slightly cool (11 to 15 degrees Celsius).

Also, in some cases, people rehydrate with other beverages instead of water. Drinks such as coffee and green tea contain caffeine, which stimulates diuresis, causing the body to excrete much more water than is consumed. Therefore, people who drink it are advised to drink more water to replenish moisture. However, if possible, we recommend drinking water instead of drinks.

Drinking too much water during or after a meal can stress digestion. Therefore, it is more helpful to drink water 30 minutes after eating.

When you drink water during exercise, drinking a lot at the same time puts pressure on the stomach. Therefore, it is best to slowly drink about 1 cup (200 ml) of water cooler than your body temperature every 15 to 20 minutes. You should drink water gradually until about 2 hours after you finish exercising.

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