Yes, It’s Possible To ‘Overdose’ On Water

When managed properly, hydration boasts big benefits like aiding digestion, eliminating toxins, lubricating joints and keeping memory on point. But it’s possible to overdo it, especially during exercise, if you don’t listen to your body’s signals.

Drinking too much water? Is it possible?

Didn’t think drinking too much water was even possible, did you? That’s not surprising in a world that tells us water is king.

For Athletes, the Risk of Too Much Water

The coaches and others worry that dehydration leads to muscle cramping and possibly heat illnesses, including serious heat stroke. So, hoping to keep their athletes healthy and safe, they press them to drink fluids before, during, and after a practice, whether the athletes feel thirsty or not. The problem with this situation is that, according to the latest science, dehydration during sports is rarely if ever dangerous, but overhydration undeniably is.

It's Easier To Die from Drinking Too Much Water Than Smoking Too Much Pot

Though water has a vastly higher LD50 compared to any other chemical -- roughly 90 grams per kilogram of body weight -- humans are surprisingly able to slurp down too much of it, especially when competition, peer pressure, exercise, or the drug ecstasy are involved.

Myth: Can You Overdose on Water?

In short, yes. Drinking too much water is possible, and although rare, it can be potentially life-threatening. Yet to develop water intoxication – or hyponatremia, as it’s known medically – you would have to consume an excessive amount of water in a short amount of time. But the condition is more complicated than overconsumption of water.

Water Intoxication Affects More Than Runners And Triathletes

Among the authorities who have shown that excess water intake can contribute to serious health problems is world-renowned endurance expert, researcher, and author, Professor Timothy Noakes, M.D., of the Sports Science Institute of South Africa.

Water intoxication: Did you know that overhydration can be deadly?

Water, it would seem, solves all that ails from wrinkles to wellness and everything in-between. And yes, we are creatures made up of up to 60 percent water and getting enough is essential for survival. But as it turns out, even with water, too much of a good thing can be too much.

Water Intoxication: Just How Much H2O Does It Take To Kill A Person?

How much water does it take to kill a person? To be honest, not all that much. Paracelsus, the 16th century scientist known largely for establishing the role of chemistry in medicine came up with the concept that everything can be poisonous, or not, depending on the dose. Although modern chemistry has since gravitated away from this belief, the saying still stands true in regards to the earth’s most essential element: water.