How many glasses of water should you drink a day and is there such a thing as drinking too much water?

Sufficient water consumption is essential for the body’s functions: it is important for metabolism, for regulating body temperature, for the functioning of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular function) and more. The amounts of water required for proper maintenance of body functions vary significantly between people due to various differences such as: physical activity, environmental conditions, sex, body structure and also the ability of the kidneys to concentrate or dilute urine.How much water should you drink a day?

 

According to international recommendations (in the United States and Europe), the recommended amount of daily water consumption is 3.7 liters for men and 2.7 liters for women. However, in most cases, the kidneys are able to handle a larger amount of water, without causing the development of hyponatremia (low values ​​of sodium in the blood), or “water poisoning”.

What is “water poisoning” and when does it occur?

“Water poisoning” occurs in extreme situations of excessive drinking, i.e. when drinking over 10 to 15 liters a day. This condition usually appears among special populations suffering from psychiatric disorders and is defined as “psychogenic heavy drinking”. The phenomenon may lead to the development of hyponatremia and various neurological symptoms such as: confusion, headaches, inability to concentrate, general convulsions and vomiting.

Is there a recommendation to drink beyond the international recommendations?

In most cases this is not necessary, however there are several pathological conditions that require an increase in the amount of daily drinking: people suffering from kidney stones or recurrent urinary tract infections or in the presence of a genetic disease that causes multiple cysts in the kidneys.

In conclusion:

• Daily water consumption of 3.7 liters for men and 2.7 liters for women meets most of the body’s metabolic needs and prevents dehydration.
• “Water poisoning” occurs when the amount of drinking is over 10 to 15 liters per day.
• The amount of water should be adjusted individually according to the environmental conditions and the type, intensity and duration of the physical activity you perform.

The author is Prof. Sidney Ben Shatrit, director of the nephrology and hypertension unit at the Meir Medical Center of the Klalit Group