It’s no secret that in order to maintain an active lifestyle, we need to stay hydrated. Drinking a healthy amount of water keeps your body functioning to perfection, your skin clear and your heart healthy. But how much water is a healthy amount? And when it comes to water – is there such a thing as too much?
Growing up, everyone from our pediatrician to our soccer coach told us that drinking 8 glasses of water a day would keep everything running smoothly. However, a recent study published by the British Medical Journal suggests otherwise. Not only is 8 glasses considered too much, but it can actually do more harm that good.
“If you’re drinking excessively, if you’re drinking beyond thirst, if you’re drinking beyond comfort, your kidneys are actually having to work very, very hard,” McCartney said.
It turns out that McCartney isn’t the only one who believes that too much water is a bad thing. WebMD also suggests that too much water is dangerous because it could dilute the amount of sodium in your body. This imbalance could cause serious problems, such as confusion, seizures, and potentially land you in a coma.
So how much should you be drinking?
According to WebMD, the amount varies from person to person. Your water intake should be customizable to you, dependent on your climate, your health condition and your age. The easiest way to tell if you are getting enough water is to check your urine. If you’re drinking enough water, your urine will be clear or pale yellow.
