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Written by Navneet Kaur, M.Sc. Nutrition & Dietetics

Diet

Can Drinking Too Much Water Harm Your Kidneys?

We all know drinking water is good, but did you know drinking too much water can actually harm your kidneys?

Introduction

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Your kidneys help clean your body by removing extra water and waste through urine, and keep you healthy.

What Kidneys Do?

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Usually, drinking about 2-3 litres of water per day keeps you healthy, but it depends on your body and how active you are.

How Much Water Is Enough?

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If you drink too much water, your kidneys can’t handle it all, and it can cause a dangerous problem called water intoxication.

What Happens If You Drink Too Much Water?

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It happens when your body gets too much water and loses important salt, which can make you feel sick or confused.

Hyponatremia

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Your kidneys can only cleanse about a specific amount of water every hour, so drinking more than that puts extra stress on them and can cause problems.

Kidneys

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People with kidney problems, heart disease, or athletes who drink too much water at once are more at risk of getting sick.

Who Should Be Careful?

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If you feel bloated, pee too much, feel dizzy or have headaches, you might be drinking too much water.

Signs You’re Drinking Too Much

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Drink water slowly during the day, don’t drink large amounts at once, and listen to your body for thirst.

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What’s The Right Way?

Drinking water helps your kidneys, body detox, and health, but drinking too much is bad, so always aim for about 2-3 litres of water per day, depending on your body, activity and weather.

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Conclusion

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