To meet our hydration needs, it’s vital to drink enough water every day. But what happens when we drink too little or too much? What are the health risks? We take stock!
Every day, we lose an average of 1.5 liters of water through urine, and another liter through sweat, stools and breathing. That’s why we need to meet our water requirements, an essential element for the body to function properly.
It is therefore recommended to drink at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water a day. But what happens when too much water is consumed? Is hyperhydration dangerous to health?
What are the dangers of over-consumption of water?
The first risk is to suffer from hyperhidrosis, a skin disorder that refers to the excessive production of sweat. While sweating is a natural response to rising body temperature, in the event of overconsumption of water, the body overreacts and attempts to evacuate the excess water present in the body by sweating heavily.
Between 1% and 3% of the population is affected by hyperhidrosis, a pathology that can be disabling in everyday life because it produces a lot of sweat, mainly emanating from the armpits, palms and feet, but above all because it increases the water requirements of patients, who then fall into a vicious circle.
Not to mention the fact that over-consumption of water weakens the kidneys, which are overburdened with the task of eliminating excess water.
Hyperhydration, a dangerous but very rare phenomenon
Hyperhydration also leads to sodium deficiency, known as hyponatremia, which can be dangerous. Nausea, headaches, vomiting, extreme fatigue, even convulsions and epileptic seizures – this imbalance in blood salts has a direct impact on the brain.
This phenomenon is particularly well known in sports, where athletes tend to drink excessively to stay hydrated. However, « situations of hyperhydration are very rare », as the Water Information Centre reminds us.
In fact, hyperhydration is especially dangerous when kidney capacity is limited, which can be the case with age or certain cardiac pathologies.
« To exceed the body’s ability to eliminate excess water, adults with normal kidney function should drink more than 23 liters of water per day on a regular basis,« says MSD Manual.
Beware of dehydration, which claims many more victims
While the elderly may therefore be concerned by the risks caused by hyperhydration, they are more likely to suffer from dehydration, particularly in hot weather. A lack of water with equally dangerous consequences for health.
In fact, failure to meet water needs increases the risk of cancer, heart attacks and kidney stones.
Dull complexion, appearance of wrinkles, acne, loss of elasticity: the effects of dehydration on both young and old can be seen on the skin. Mood is also greatly affected by this deficiency. This is because there is less water in the brain.
As a result, it loses elasticity and cellular connections, making us more irritable, emotional and sensitive.