Knowledge

CAN WE DRINK TOO MUCH WATER?

CAN WE DRINK TOO MUCH WATER?


During intense exercise the kidneys cannot excrete excess water. The extra water moves into the cells, including brain cells. The result can be fatal. For that reason, athletes should estimate how much they should drink by weighing themselves before and after long training runs to see how much they lose, and thus how much water and salt they should replace.


The studies that found 13% of the runners tested drank too much water, resulting in abnormally low blood sodium levels. The low sodium levels made many of these people very sick, and close to the point of death. The importance lesson here is to balance your water intake with your sodium intake.


HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR TAP WATER IS SAFE TO DRINK?


It is important you know your local sources of water quality, and the quality of your local drinking water. Suggest drinking small molecule water.