Ruth Orji
Claim: Drinking a lot of water is unhealthy for you.
Last week, @ DoctorSethi posted a claim stating that drinking a lot of water is unhealthy for you.
He claimed it further dehydrates you and causes you to lose electrolytes.
This post has since gathered 76,576 views; 2300 likes; 57 comments; 19 shares.
NatureNews, Africa’s foremost newspaper on climate change, which is dedicated to providing accurate insights to stop the spread of fake news particularly among users of social media, subjected the claim to fact checking.
Findings: Using the Google search tool in conducting this research, NatureFact, the fact checking unit of NatureNews, accessed a few papers and studies.
A thorough fact-checking investigation has revealed that this claim is actually correct.
@zackdfilms gave a graphic representation, stating that if one drinks as much as 6 liters of waters in a few hours, you could comatose and probably die.
@vitalitysphere corroborates this insisting that excessive water is detrimental.
https://youtube.com/shorts/wz6lc8qZi_Q?si=T3PmUKV86banoRr7
@trtworld gives a detailed account.
Drinking excessive amounts of water can lead to a condition called water intoxication or hyponatremia. This occurs when the body takes in more water than it can process, causing an imbalance of electrolytes in the body.
Mild cases may result in:
– Nausea and vomiting
– Headache
– Fatigue
– Seizures (rare)
Severe cases can lead to:
– Brain swelling
– Coma
– Respiratory arrest
– Cardiac arrest
– Death (in extreme cases)
Drinking an excessive amount of water can be harmful if:
1. Kidneys are compromised (e.g., kidney disease)
2. Electrolyte balance is disrupted
3. Water is consumed rapidly (e.g., water-drinking contests)
4. Underlying medical conditions exist (e.g., heart or liver disease)
The general recommendation is to drink 8-10 cups (64-80 ounces) of water per day.
However, individual needs vary depending on factors like climate, physical activity, and overall health.
To stay safe:
1. Drink water in moderation
2. Listen to your body’s thirst signals
3. Monitor urine output (should be pale yellow)
4. Avoid excessive water consumption during intense exercise or activities
Verdict: True. Drinking a lot of water may hamper health.
