Can I Drink Too Much Water?

Most of us are dehydrated and don't drink enough water, but it is possible to overdo it. There's a condition called water intoxication when a dehydrated person drinks too much water without the accompanying electrolytes. It's most commonly seen in infants and athletes. Most healthy people can process up to 15 litres a day of water, so unless you take in large quantities of water at one time you are very unlikely to suffer from this condition.

A good guideline is to drink a 1/2 oz of water per pound of body weight. So for a 130 pound female, that's 8 - 8 oz glasses a day. More may be needed if you drink a lot of coffee, the weather's hot or if you're active. There are many benefits of drinking enough water including: weight loss, healthier looking skin, more energy and less cramps & sprains. It is also imperative for flushing out harmful toxins causing disease.

Dehydration, on the other hand, has many risks including migraines, tiredness, muscle cramps, constipation and kidney problems. Some common signs of dehydration include: dark urine, dry skin, thirst, mistaken hunger & fatigue.

Drinking the right amount of water is important for good health! So let's drink up!