Are you drinking too much water? that's what it threatens! Is it harmful to drink a lot of water - new facts and opinions Who is contraindicated in drinking a lot of water

Both Western and domestic nutritionists unanimously assert: a person, regardless of the load and season, needs to drink plenty of water. It helps to improve the water-salt balance in the body. But is this statement true? It turns out that excess fluid can cause serious damage to internal organs.

How Thirst Occurs

According to biologists, the main reason why a person wants to drink is a change in the water-salt balance in the blood. On average, one liter of blood contains 9.45 grams of salt. Slight fluctuations in the content of this substance are possible, but only in hundredths of a gram. However, if the concentration of salt, for example, increases, then the activity of all cells of the body is disrupted, because they are supplied with blood. Its water component at such a moment decreases, and the blood thickens. And this, according to phlebologists, threatens with the occurrence of blood clots, which means that the nutrition of a particular area of \u200b\u200bthe tissue or organ will be blocked. But this is in critical cases.

As a rule, already in the first moments of a slight increase in the concentration of salts, a person feels dry mouth. This is the first signal calling for an increase in the level of fluid in the body. This happens, for example, in the heat, when a person sweats and the liquid evaporates.

Drinking too much water is harmful

It turns out that it is better for the body to drink more liquid? Not at all. It is known that the more you drink in the heat, the more you want. The body at this moment sweats more abundantly, and along with an increased amount of evaporated moisture, more salt leaves the body. And in this case, the skin of the face and hands, as well as hair, are the first to suffer.

If a person deliberately accustoms himself to an increased consumption of water, then in normal cool weather this also harms many internal organs. Domestic gastroenterologists warn: heavy drinking seriously dilutes gastric juice, it ceases to be concentrated and harmful to microbes that enter the stomach with food. Water allows them to survive, which means that the risk of developing infections increases.

Some believe that drinking plenty of water helps improve kidney function. French nephrologist Pierre Ronceau in his scientific work explains how they actually function. In order to maintain the required level of fluids in the body, the kidneys reabsorb some of the water that has already been filtered. This provides a standard concentration of urine. But the more a person drinks, the less water the kidneys have to conserve water, and the tubules, designed specifically for reabsorption, deteriorate over time. If the body in hot weather finds itself without the usual access to water, then the kidneys will not be able to saturate it with the saved fluid, and dehydration will begin rapidly.

Excessive fluid intake soon fills the tissues of the liver, kidneys, they swell, and their functional properties weaken. Meanwhile, these organs play an important role in the excretory system, and when it fails, the body does not completely remove water from itself. The fluid is retained in the tissue cells, edema occurs, which provoke an increase in pressure in the walls blood vessels. Then the headaches begin. The lymph nodes swollen due to increased moisture also do not cope with their task - immunity decreases, and a few hours remain before the development of gastrointestinal infections.

Does water help you lose weight?

However, many ladies, having increased the amount of fluid consumed, despite side effects in the form of small edema, declare a real weight loss. So for effective weight loss How much water is needed?

At first, drinking plenty of water really improves bowel function, it increases peristalsis, the passage of food through the departments is faster, which means that digestion products are more efficiently excreted, weight decreases. But three months later, things have changed. The pancreas and gallbladder are saturated with water, and problems arise in their work. Food is not fully processed because the level of secreted bile and other secrets is reduced. Gradually, the intestinal mucosa also swells - more and more constipation occurs. This leads to a general slagging of the body and weight gain.

In addition, endocrinologists warn: cells of hormonal glands overflowing with moisture cannot fully participate in metabolic processes due to lack of energy.

Therefore, the burning of fat and carbohydrates slows down, and this does not contribute to weight loss.

How Much Water Do Athletes Need?

It turns out that ordinary people should not force themselves to drink a lot of fluids - this is harmful. Perhaps increased water intake is necessary for athletes. But this is not so either. Dr. Timothy Noakes, professor of sports medicine at the University of Cape Town (South Africa), in his book "Exercise Dehydration: Myths and Facts" proves that high saturation of the body with water does not improve athletic performance at all, but, on the contrary, worsens them and puts the body at risk hyponatremia (impaired water and electrolyte balance).

The professor claims that it is simply impossible to drink before the onset of thirst. It reduces concentration physical activity muscles in both athletes and ordinary people. And if we want to be vigorous and healthy, we need to drink liquids as much as the body physically requires.

Proper drinking regime along with rational nutrition plays an important role in ensuring the normal functioning of the body. What kind of water is more useful to drink and how to do it correctly so as not to harm your health? Read about it below.

Water is a universal solvent. As part of the liquid component of blood, it is involved in the transport of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and waste products, thermoregulation and chemical processes in cells.

How much water should an adult, a pregnant woman, a newborn child, children drink per day per 1 kg of weight?

Scientists have calculated that the body of an adult male is 60% water, and female - 50%. For an adult:

To maintain water balance, it is necessary to consume 1.5 - 2 liters of pure water per day.
The physiological need in terms of 1 kg of adult weight is 30 ml of water daily.

During pregnancy water is involved not only in the metabolism of the mother's body, but also the unborn fetus. That's why doctors recommend:

Drink 2.5 liters of drinking water per day.
To prevent the occurrence of edema, it is necessary to reduce not the amount of fluid you drink, but salt, and this should be done throughout the pregnancy.

The doctor will help you establish the correct drinking regimen based on the results of the tests.

Insufficient fluid intake can affect the quality amniotic fluid and the mother's body.

The amount consumed newborn baby water depends on the type of feeding.

With artificial or mixed feeding, the norm should be supplemented by a baby from two weeks of age, while the norm of water he drinks during the day is 100 - 200 ml.
At breastfeeding the baby needs to be supplemented, since the breast milk he drinks is 90% water. 50-70 ml of drinking water per day is enough for the baby.

Important: the opinion that a breastfed baby does not need supplementation is erroneous. Remember that mother's milk is food, not drink!

Keeping the water balance in the body children is the key to their health. Drinking enough liquid of proper quality will help to avoid problems with growing teeth, gums, joints, kidneys.

Children need to drink 1-1.5 liters of pure water per day
The physiological need for water in children is 50 ml per 1 kg of body weight.

What happens if you drink too much water - is it good or bad: consequences

Despite all the benefits of clean drinking water, with a large amount of consumption, it can harm the body.

When drinking large amounts of water at a time, vomiting occurs. This property is used when washing the stomach in case of poisoning, but under normal conditions, this phenomenon only brings discomfort.
The risk of edema increases, which can even affect the brain and lungs.
Along with excess water, salts and minerals are washed out of the body, the water-salt balance is disturbed, which can lead to a decrease in muscle and mental activity and even convulsions.
The body will try to get rid of large amounts of fluid through diarrhea.

Everything is poison and everything is medicine. And only the dose makes a medicine a poison, and a poison a medicine. (Paracelsus)

Is it bad for the kidneys to drink too much water?

There is an opinion among doctors that the best prevention of kidney disease is their continuous work. In order not to suffer from urolithiasis or inflammation of the urinary tract, you need to consume a sufficient amount of fluid per day (at least 2 liters). This volume must be reduced if kidney disease is already present.

With excessive water intake, the kidneys work in an enhanced mode, and it can be assumed that over time, such overloads will begin to affect their health and performance. However, to date, a reliable relationship between kidney disease and a large amount of fluid drunk has not been established.

Situations in which you need to drink more water

In some cases, the amount of fluid consumed can be increased to 3 liters per day.

Physical exercise
Vomiting and diarrhea
increased urination
Increased sweating
Body burns
Poisoning and intoxication of the body
SARS, influenza

What happens if you drink too little water - is it good or bad: signs of dehydration, consequences

A person can live without food for more than a month, but without water, only 3-4 days. Reducing the level of fluid in the body is extremely dangerous for all body systems. You are suffering from mild to moderate water deprivation if:

You have dry skin. This manifests itself in peeling, a tendency to chapping, the appearance of deep wrinkles and other signs of premature aging.
There are problems with digestion - heartburn, indigestion, frequent constipation.
There is thirst and dryness in the mouth and eyes, as the mucous membranes dry up.
You are sick longer, because the viscous blood does not have time to transport the toxins formed during the illness to the organs of their excretion.
You experience joint pain due to the fact that the amount of fluid in the joint bag decreases, and the bones begin to rub against each other.
You often get headaches, especially at the end of the day. So the brain reacts to a decrease in the level of water in its composition.
The feeling of hunger occurs more often than usual. The body sends hunger signals in order to replenish fluid reserves along with the food taken.

Severe dehydration requires prompt medical attention and has the following symptoms:

rapid breathing and heartbeat
elevated body temperature
sunken fontanel in infants
confusion and distraction in children and adults
lack of sweat and tears
dark urine in large quantities
strong feeling of thirst
low blood pressure

Such dehydration is rare, but requires close treatment in a hospital setting.

What water is better to drink: cold or hot?

Neither cold nor hot. Cold water causes spasms of the walls of the digestive tract and stomach, besides, the body still “warms up” the incoming liquid to body temperature. Hot water, boiling water - not very pleasant palatability, and can burn the mucous membrane.

It is correct to drink warm water heated to room temperature or the temperature of the human body.

Why do Chinese people drink hot water?

There is no single correct answer to this question, however, there are versions that:

According to traditional Chinese medicine, drinking cold drinks can disrupt the flow of yin and yang energy in the body.
Heated water contributes to better absorption of food, especially fatty foods, because fat dissolves easily in boiling water.
A more earthy version - the water is heated for hygienic reasons to kill pathogens.
The use of pure boiling water is a feature of the mentality, a tradition developed over the centuries that does not have a specific subtext.

Is it good to drink water on an empty stomach in the morning, how much water to drink, cold or hot?

According to doctors, the ideal start to the day should necessarily include drinking water on an empty stomach. It should be warm water, comfortable for our body.

Drinking water on an empty stomach washes the walls of the stomach, helping to cleanse it of undigested food debris.
It stimulates the contraction of the walls of the digestive tract and thus has a mild laxative effect.
The gastric juice is diluted and the feeling of morning heartburn disappears.
Appetite decreases due to a feeling of fullness in the stomach.

To achieve such positive effects, it is enough to drink 1.5 - 2 glasses of warm water in the morning on an empty stomach.

Is it useful and how to drink water with lemon in the morning?

It will not be superfluous to add a slice of lemon or a teaspoon of lemon juice to warm water in the morning.

Lemon perfectly stimulates the immune system, invigorates, accelerates the elimination of toxins, enriches the body with vitamins.

In addition, it is known for its fat burning and antibacterial properties. You need to drink such homemade "lemonade" on an empty stomach, 20-30 minutes before a meal.

Giving lemon water to children should be done with caution. Sour juice can harm the baby's delicate stomach lining, and lemon can cause an unpredictable allergic reaction.

What water is better to drink: boiled or raw?

Heat treatment of the drink is one of the most effective means in the fight against pathogenic microbes. However, many consider boiled dead water, useless, moreover, when boiled, harmful chlorine-containing compounds are formed. To avoid this, it is recommended to leave the water in an open container for a day before boiling, so that impurities such as chlorine, ammonia, etc., evaporate.

Raw water tastes better, but contains pathogens and disinfectant additives in the case of tap water. Before use, such water must be defended or passed through household filters.

What water is better to drink: mineral or plain?

plain water, tap water, is usually taken from terrestrial sources and has a variable composition. It depends on the amount of precipitation, season, remoteness of the reservoir from settlements and other factors. Not always chemical composition ordinary water satisfies the body's needs in the quality and quantity of microelements contained.

Mineral water has a constant chemical composition and is more saturated with inorganic trace elements. Depending on the content of salts in it, they distinguish:

medical
medical dining room
table mineral water.

The first two types of water are taken as prescribed by a doctor and in limited quantities. Table mineral water (with a salt content of less than 1 g/l) can be drunk without restrictions and preferably from those sources that are geographically close to the place of your permanent residence.

Mineral water perfectly quenches thirst and restores the water-salt balance, but its regular use requires significant financial costs.

Is it possible to drink distilled water from a car shop, rain?

Distilled water from a car dealer It is intended for household purposes of servicing machines, for example, for washing radiators. Therefore, the container in which it is stored is not intended for food products, and you should not drink such water unless absolutely necessary.

Distilled water does not contain impurities and minerals, and it is impossible to replace absolutely all the water consumed with it.

Against, rainwater has an indefinite composition. It absorbs impurities contained in the atmosphere - dust, heavy metals, ammonia, pesticides. Drinking such water and even using it for domestic purposes is not recommended.

Can you drink sea water?

Sea water is the strongest poison for humans. The salts contained in it are enough to disable the kidneys and poison the body. After its assimilation, there is a sharp increase in the concentration of trace elements and salt in the blood, which leads to the outflow of fluid from the tissues, which leads to rapid dehydration of the body.

Can you drink tap water from a well?

tap water passes through several stages of purification and meets all sanitary and epidemiological standards before entering the pipes. However, in the water supply, it is polluted a second time - with iron oxides, organic matter, bacteria, and the chlorine compounds contained in it can have a negative impact on the health of allergy sufferers and asthmatics. Therefore, tap water that has not been boiled or cleaned with household filters is not recommended to drink.

Delicious and invigorating well water in the conditions of modern ecology most often contains a large amount of nitrates and fluorides. These compounds are difficult to remove and are of particular danger to child's body. Water quality in different wells differs, and without laboratory tests it is difficult to establish whether it is possible to drink water from one or another source.

Is it possible to drink water with lime sediment?

The characteristic milky sediment of limestone after settling water indicates a significant content of calcium salts in it (increased hardness). Sanitary standards it is forbidden to use such water for drinking purposes. Without additional softening and purification, regular drinking of water rich in limestone can lead to metabolic disorders and the formation of kidney stones.

Is it possible and useful to drink water at night?

The body consumes water in the process of metabolism even at night. To avoid feeling thirsty, half an hour before bedtime, it is recommended to drink half a glass of pure water, mineral water can be used. But you should stop drinking fluids before bed if:

swelling in the morning
restless sleep and frequent urge to urinate

Is it possible to drink water with high blood pressure, hypertension?

A diet for hypertensive patients must necessarily include a sufficient amount of liquid for an adult (at least 1.5 liters of water per day). Water in hypertension plays an important role in the body:

Cleanses the walls of blood vessels from cholesterol plaques.
Increases the volume of circulating blood, thus expanding the vessels and lowering blood pressure.
Thins the blood, facilitating the work of the heart.

The amount of water consumed and its quality should be agreed with the attending physician.

How to drink water frozen in a bottle?

Frozen water has altered qualities. It is more conducive to cleansing and rejuvenation of the body, speeds up metabolism. To obtain it, settled water is poured into a bottle and placed in a freezer, and then the opaque ice and the unfrozen part are removed.

At first, it is recommended to drink no more than 100 ml of frozen water per day in order to induce addiction.
Then you can drink up to 1.5 liters of frozen water per day. This volume should be divided into 4-5 times and for medicinal purposes drink 30 minutes before meals.

How to drink water for weight loss?

Proper drinking regimen will help not only get rid of extra pounds, but also maintain the result achieved.

During the day you need to drink 8-12 glasses of water.

Try to stick to an approximate schedule for drinking water:

In the morning on an empty stomach, at least half an hour before breakfast.
During the day, 30 minutes before meals and 2-3 hours after meals.
Between meals, focusing on the feeling of thirst.
Small amount of water before bed.

In this case, water will help get rid of a false feeling of hunger, reduce the amount of food consumed, cleanse the body of toxins and toxins.

How to drink water in the heat and is it possible to drink cold water?

In hot weather, thirst is felt more strongly, and you want to drink as many cold refreshing drinks as possible.

The amount of water drunk on a hot day should be increased by 0.5 - 1 liter from the norm. Thus, an adult needs 2.5 -3 liters of fluid to maintain the water-salt balance.

Choose the right water temperature. Do not abuse cold drinks- this is fraught with colds and sore throats. Ice water causes vasospasm, is absorbed more slowly and quenches thirst worse.

It is much more effective to drink warm or even hot water to speed up metabolism, increase perspiration, and thus cool your body naturally.

Is it good to drink a lot of water at a temperature?

Water is additionally consumed for increased sweating and rapid breathing
The liquid helps the body cope with intoxication, removing the products of the activity of viruses, bacteria and toxins from the body.

Instead of water, you can drink herbal teas with the addition of raspberries and rose hips.

How long after a meal can you drink water and why not with meals?

The tradition of drinking food while eating makes digestion difficult, since the incoming water dilutes the gastric juice and takes the necessary enzymes out of the stomach. For the same reasons, you should not drink water immediately after eating.

It would be correct to drink a glass of clean water half an hour before a meal and 0.5 - 4 hours after a meal.

30 minutes after eating fruit
1 hour after vegetables
2 hours after a carbohydrate meal
4 hours after meat products.

How long after a workout can you drink water and why can't you drink during a workout?

It is worth refraining from drinking water during training, so as not to create a feeling of fullness in the stomach and avoid discomfort during active exertion. In addition, an athlete who uncontrollably drinks water during exercise to quench increased thirst is at risk of water poisoning.

You can drink water after physical exertion, every 15 minutes, 150-200 ml. The total amount of liquid drunk should not exceed 1 liter.
Drink 1-2 glasses of pure water half an hour before your workout to replenish your body's fluid stores and keep you from getting thirsty during exercise.

Why can't you drink water quickly, but can you take small sips?

Drinking water in one gulp puts a sharp strain on the kidneys and digestive tract. Not having time to assimilate, it is largely excreted from the body without being absorbed.

On the contrary, water, drunk in sips, is completely absorbed and perfectly quenches thirst.

Hold drinking water in your mouth before swallowing it. This will moisturize the oral mucosa and "deceive" the receptors that signal thirst, creating the effect of drinking a large amount of liquid.

Why can't you drink water after melon, corn?

To avoid unpleasant effects from the gastrointestinal tract, do not drink melon and corn with water. This will lead to increased flatulence, colic and even diarrhea. For the same reasons, it is not recommended to eat them on an empty stomach.

Why can't you drink water after surgery, anesthesia?

The postoperative condition is accompanied by intense thirst, but doctors do not allow drinking water after surgery and anesthesia.

Incoming water on the background general weakness provokes nausea and vomiting, and vomit can enter the respiratory tract and cause pneumonia.
In the case of abdominal surgery, the drunk liquid puts pressure on the walls of the gastrointestinal tract and the sutures.

Drinking water is allowed only 2 hours after anesthesia.

It is known that without food a person can live for quite a long time, but without water he will die after a few days. The fluid for the body of any living being is not only a "fuel" that starts all vital processes, but also a means of cleansing toxins. It would seem that you need to drink water often and a lot, so that the internal organs work like clockwork. Does this correspond to reality? And what happens if you regularly drink more water than your body requires?

"Vodokhleby" against "hermits"

For the normal functioning of the body and well-being, an ordinary adult needs to consume about 3 liters of fluid per day. It can be soups and compotes, juices and lemonade, but water in pure form should be 1-1.5 liters. With intense physical exertion or, conversely, their absence, with changing climatic conditions, these figures may vary. But doctors, nutritionists and sports coaches tend to convince people to comply with this condition on a daily basis.

Calculations regarding the amount of fluid the body needs daily are made by scientists with mathematical precision.

It has been proven that for the breakdown of food, the activation of metabolic processes and the removal of toxins from the body, along with sweat and urine, you need to drink about 1 liter of ordinary water.

But, as practice shows, every third inhabitant of the planet does not fulfill this condition for various reasons. There is a certain group of people who do not feel the need for fluids and feel great without water for hours. They consume no more than 0.5-0.7 liters per day, and an increase in volume gives them discomfort. It is expressed in intense sweating and frequent calls to urination. Therefore, "hermits", as experts often call such people, even in gym refuse to drink.

The second category of people, on the contrary, cannot live without water, their daily fluid intake reaches 4-5 liters. Such "water drinkers" are easy to spot in the crowd: they always have a bottle of drinking water in any season. These people, on the contrary, feel comfortable when their stomach is at least a third full of liquid, and often ignore the side effects in the form of profuse sweating. However, the human body is a unique self-regulating system, so soon the signs of its oversaturation with moisture disappear. But the question remains: to drink or not to drink?

What happens if there is not enough fluid in the body

Imagine that you are constantly thirsty and quench it only partially. At the external level, this leads to drying of the epidermis and mucous membranes, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing and, often, loss of consciousness. What happens to the body at this moment? He works in an emergency mode, as he is forced to "extract" water from cells and blood, using all available reserves. This is done to ensure the smooth and high-quality operation of internal organs and the continuation of important processes, such as:

metabolism;
supply of cells with useful substances;
cleansing the body of toxins.

If there is not enough water in the body, then the processes slow down, which affects both the behavior and well-being of a person. He becomes slow, drowsy, the brain does not work as productively. Constant stay in the "desert" mode leads to malfunctions of cardio-vascular system, the process of intoxication begins, since the decay products remain in the body and poison it.

What happens if you drink too much water

At first, the body will accept the extra 1-2 liters of fluid with gratitude, because this allows it to increase productivity and speed up vital processes. Imagine a flower when it began to be watered daily: it becomes prettier and blooms literally before our eyes. The same thing happens with the human body: its internal organs, having received enough moisture, begin to work efficiently.

But one day there comes a saturation limit - a boundary when moisture is no longer needed to stimulate and perform metabolic processes. It continues to enter the body and from a useful component gradually turns into ballast, since:

creates an additional burden on the kidneys: they filter water, purifying it of impurities. This leads to both malfunctions in their work and an increase in blood pressure;
leaches salts and minerals from the body, which leads to the development of various diseases;
leads to soft tissue swelling.

Water poisoning syndrome

Many fans of a healthy lifestyle, methodically following populist instructions, know from their own experience about the dangerous syndrome of drinking water poisoning. Even if you use a purified or boiled liquid, in large quantities it can become poisonous.

To understand how the poisoning mechanism works in this case, you need to remember that water nourishes our body at the cellular level. Now imagine the situation: the kidneys are not able to cope with the huge amount of fluid that healthy lifestyle adherents pour into themselves. As a result, it accumulates in the body, and at the cellular level. What eventually happens to a cell that overflows with water? It swells and deforms, and its shell often bursts.

Lesions at the cellular level can be microscopic, and can reach colossal proportions when it comes not just to cell deformation, but to damage to internal organs. The process is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, dizziness, disorientation in space, and often loss of consciousness.

Recovery from drinking water poisoning is more difficult than from ordinary food poisoning and can take several weeks.

Myths about water

Supporters of a hard water regime with an abundance of fluid are convinced that they lead a correct and healthy lifestyle. Explaining why you need to drink plenty of water, they appeal to the advice of nutritionists who say that this is the most fast way weight loss.

In fact, this is a myth, since the liquid is not able to break down fats.

To be convinced of this, it is enough to throw a piece of fat into the water - and in a day, and in a week it will float on the surface in its original form. So what's the catch? Yes, water helps to lose weight due to the fact that it activates metabolic processes in the body. But she is not able to get rid of body fat, this will require intense physical activity and adjustment of the diet.

Another myth is that water is an all-purpose cleaner. Hence the practice of flushing the intestines with an enema and increased fluid intake during the period food poisoning. In fact, water is only a transporter that helps to remove all unnecessary from the body. In case of poisoning with its help, for example, you can induce vomiting and remove dangerous decay products from the stomach. But water itself cannot act as an adsorbent, since it does not have disinfectant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Water is the main element of the chemical constituents of the human body. She participates in the exchange processes. If there is no fluid in the body, the human body will not be able to work, the process of removing metabolic elements will be impossible. In addition, the thermal balance of the body is disturbed. Life parameters are significantly reduced even with a slight lack of water. Dehydration of the body negatively affects the nervous, mental activity of people. The impossibility of taking water for a person contributes to his irritation and oppression, fatigue increases faster, strong-willed and moral qualities weaken, and working capacity decreases. Therefore, a person needs to drink a lot of water.

Water in physiology

The percentage of water from a person's body weight is 70%. Human cells, regardless of their functions, are a kind of microcosm. It carries out a large amount of complex and ordered transformations.

Water is the carrier of elements, both inorganic and organic. They are involved in many life processes. The intracellular fluid takes on about 70% of the total volume of human water. Interstitial fluid is about 30%, which is approximately equal to 12 liters.

Water content in tissues and organs of the human body

Let's figure out why a person needs to drink a lot of water. Tissues and organs have the following water content:

in adipose tissue - 29%;
in the eye - 99%;
bone skeleton - 22%;
blood - 83%.

Water is needed for normal digestion, absorption of useful elements, removal harmful substances, good blood circulation. That's why you need to drink a lot of water.

How much liquid is needed for water balance

At high air temperatures, a person can live no more than five days. To create a normal water balance, a person should drink about two liters of drinking water every day. This is the answer to the question, why drink a lot of water. Its volume is needed to maintain human life at the required level. It depends directly on the ambient temperature. If the temperature outside is 32 degrees, you need to drink 3 liters of water per day, at 20 degrees, 1.5 liters is enough. With moderate physical activity, it is advisable to drink at least 5 liters of water per day.

If you work for outdoors, the volume of water can be increased to 6.5 liters. Fluid loss of up to 25% of total body weight can lead to death. Metabolic processes quickly normalize if the loss of water is not more than 10% of body weight.

Is it necessary to drink a lot of water, and where does water go in the human body?

1.5 liters is excreted through the excretory system;
0.6 liters comes out with sweat through the pores in the skin;
0.4 liters is spent during breathing;
0.1 liters leaves with a bowel movement with feces.

Why do you want to drink a lot of water? Hunger appears in people from the action of a small amount of glucose in the blood. High glucose and salt parameters make the body feel thirsty.

What Causes Strong Thirst?

This feeling is a natural human reaction to changes in the balance of salt and water. Thirst increases with high temperature external environment, during exercise, after eating salty and fatty foods. When there is a constant thirst that occurs without the influence of the external environment, we can talk about the appearance of the disease. According to the standards, an adult man needs up to 3 liters of water per day, a woman 2.7 liters. The feeling of thirst is a signal coming from the drinking center nervous system.

Signals for the work of this center are given by:

cortex;
limbic part of the cerebral hemispheres;
hypothalamus.

Violations of the drinking center cause unreasonable thirst. It analyzes signals from human fluid organs, compares the level of pressure, the content of sodium ions. In this process, the hormones of the pancreas and thyroid gland work.

A constant desire to drink can be a sign of the following diseases:

vomiting, poisoning;
chronic diarrhea;
hyponatremia;
head injury;
adrenal adenoma;
pathology and disruption of the pituitary gland;
kidney failure;
diabetes insipidus;
internal bleeding;
diabetes.

Taking certain medications contributes to the appearance of a strong feeling of thirst, dryness in the larynx and mouth.

Thirst during pregnancy and in children

During gestation, the rate of water intake should be more. Why do pregnant women need to drink plenty of water? Doctors advise pregnant women to drink 0.3 liters more water than usual. The daily norm of drinking is not more than 2 liters. Thirst may increase in the last period of pregnancy due to the entry into the blood of a special protein produced by the liver.

During the development of the fetus in the womb, her kidneys are under great stress. In this case, thirst appears from the action of a hormonal substance - angiotensin.

The health organization has determined the rate of fluid intake per day for young children, depending on the total body weight. For children weighing up to 5 kg, the norm of water together with mother's milk is 0.8 liters. If the child weighs up to 10 kg, then the rate rises to 1 liter per day. The norm of water for children depends on age as follows:

up to 3 years - 1300 ml per day;
up to 8 years - 1700 ml;
up to 13 years - 1800 ml;
up to 18 years - 1.9 liters.

In too mobile children, the presence of great thirst is the norm. However, to prevent the occurrence of pathology, you need to do a study.

Finding the cause of thirst

To diagnose the causes of thirst, the doctor must find out the reasons, taking into account the peculiarity of the patient's diet, the number of urination per day, the composition of the diet.

The following blood tests are carried out:

the level of density and general parameters of urine;
blood test for biochemistry;
concentration of potassium and sodium;
glucose level.

Based on the received data, the patient is sent to the doctor. At the doctor's consultation, you need to calculate the largest and smallest daily intake of water. Many factors depend on the characteristics of a person, his age and gender. You need to know that carbonated water and alcoholic drinks do not reduce thirst, but even increase it. Doctors do not advise drinking mineral water, which contains salt, to quench thirst. The best temperature for drinking is at least 22 degrees. Icy and cold water should not be used for drinking. Strong thirst comes from fatty and fried foods, as well as from pickles and spices.

Experts studying this problem at the present time have concluded that it is possible to take a large amount of water only:

athletes;
workers engaged in hard work with great physical exertion in the air;
people living in hot climates.

Scientists do not consider a large amount of water to be beneficial for common man. Official treatments do not contain advice folk methods, which say that you need to drink 8 glasses a day. High water intake can cause sodium to be flushed out of the body. There is no official evidence that excess water has a positive effect on human organs. Excess fluid does not increase skin turgor, as cosmetics manufacturers say.

Why is it bad to drink a lot of water

Doctors in many countries argue that the daily volume of water should be normal. Advertising information about the large consumption of bottled water indicates an increase in sales. You need to listen to your body and not take extreme steps. If physical work during sports training leads to a decrease in body weight, then it should not be replenished with increased drinking of water.

A large volume of water affects the following:

The functions of the digestive organs are deteriorating.
An increased load on the kidneys is formed, too much water is excreted through the kidneys, this leads to the leaching of salts.
The heart and blood vessels work with a high load.
Decreased muscle tone.
There is rapid fatigue, fatigue and muscle spasms.

Signs and causes of excess water in the body

Hyperhydration is a condition similar to water poisoning. Water accumulates in this case in human cells. The most common reasons for this are:

Simultaneous intake of water in a volume of 10 liters, for example, when washing the stomach.
When the excretion pathways by the kidneys are disrupted.
Insufficient work of the heart.

Signs:

muscle spasms;
loss of consciousness;
weakness;
vomiting, nausea;
diarrhea.

What is the danger of overhydration

This phenomenon can lead to the death of a person if medical assistance is not provided. To normalize the condition, doctors use hemodialysis and prescribe diuretics.

How to get rid of excess water

Excess fluid that has accumulated in some parts of the body is visible on the face in the form of swelling of the eyes. The main task is to identify these edema, and then treat. The daily norm of fluid intake is set by the doctor's advice. To do this, carefully compose the diet and reduce the intake of salt, foods with preservatives. Sugar and alcohol, along with salt, are the main products for edema. Doctors advise including diuretic foods in the diet - green tea, beets, celery and other herbs.

Plant fiber removes fluid from the body. You can reduce the amount of water and eat more vegetables and fruits. It is better to drink only clean water, and do not drink products with chemical content. Lack of vitamin B causes water retention and swelling in the morning. On the advice of a doctor, you need to choose a complex of vitamins.

Why drink a lot of water when losing weight

On an empty stomach, drink a glass of warm water - this brings the stool back to normal. When exercising, doctors advise drinking a little water. You need to drink it, as a person is usually used to, while following a diet. However, you need to know that water will not give a feeling of satiety, although it contributes to a smaller meal. You do not need to drink a lot of water before going to bed, as swelling will appear in the morning. Drinking liquids before dinner is strictly not allowed. The liquid washes away useful elements that serve to break down products in the stomach. Water should be drunk half an hour before meals. You should not drink foods if you want to lose weight.

Where does the body's water supply come from?

For people who are thirsty, doctors advise eating apples. 50% of the volume of apples comes into the body as water. Fruits and vegetables containing water are recommended by nutritionists to be taken in food. Common sources of water include oranges, melons, and watermelons. The most water-containing vegetable is cucumber.

During a hot summer day, thirst is quenched by a cold decoction of apple peel, as well as green tea. Lemon drink should not be cold, but have room temperature. Excess fluid, as well as its lack, affects the state of human health, disrupts the functioning of organs, and negatively affects the condition of the skin and hair.

Not today scientific research, which could prove the positive effect of a large volume of water on human health. You can not believe traditional healers, information in advertising, and other unreliable facts. Why drink a lot of water a day? You need to remember about logic and sense, as long as this will be a good teacher for you.

Water is the main chemical element the human body, it takes part in all metabolic processes. In the absence of fluid, the human body is not able to function: the process of removing metabolic products becomes impossible, and the heat balance cannot be maintained. Vital signs deteriorate sharply even with slight dehydration.

Dehydration of the organism negatively affects the higher neuro-psychic activity of the individual. The inability to replenish fluid reserves leads a person to a depressed and irritable state, a feeling of fatigue quickly progresses, moral and volitional qualities weaken, and working capacity drops sharply.

Water makes up 70% of an adult's body weight. Each cell of the body, regardless of the functions assigned to it, is a microcosm in which an innumerable number of ordered and complex transformations take place.

Water acts as a carrier of organic and inorganic elements involved in all life processes. The intracellular fluid accounts for 70% of the total water reserves in the body. Intercellular fluid is 30% (about 12 liters).

The amount of water in the composition of organs and tissues of the human body

blood - 83%;
skeleton - 22%;
vitreous body of the eye - 99%;
adipose tissue - 29%.

Water is vital for digestion, absorption useful substances, removal of toxins and blood circulation.

The required amount of fluid to maintain water balance

In a hot climate, a person can live without water for no more than 5 days. To maintain water balance, an adult needs to consume from 1.5 to 2.5 liters daily. pure water.

The amount of water required to maintain human life at the proper level directly depends on the ambient temperature. At 32 ° C - the daily rate is 3 liters; at 21 °С - 1.5 l; for 10 °С - 1.3 l.

During moderate physical work, it is recommended to consume at least 5 liters of water per day; working on the street or in the open air, you should increase the rate to 6.5 liters.

The loss of fluid leads to death, which is 25% of the total body weight. The metabolic processes of the body quickly return to normal if the loss of fluid does not exceed 10% of the total body weight.

1500 ml is excreted in the urine;
600 ml - through the pores of the skin in the process of sweating;
400 ml - in the process of breathing;
100 ml during bowel movements.

The feeling of hunger arises in a person under the influence of low blood glucose levels. An increase in salt and glucose levels triggers a thirst signal.

What is the cause of excessive thirst?

Thirst is a natural reaction of the body to changes in the water-salt balance. Thirst increases at elevated ambient temperatures, during physical exertion, after eating fatty and salty foods.

The state of chronic thirst, not dependent on external factors, is an alarming symptom. Polydipsia - unquenchable thirst, acts as a sign of a latent disease.

Normally (according to WHO), an adult man needs 2.9 liters of fluid per day; adult woman - 2.7 liters.

Thirst is a signal that comes from the drinking center of the central nervous system. Responsible for drinking center:

limbic region hemispheres brain;
areas of the cerebral cortex;
nucleus of the posterior lobe of the hypothalamus.

Violations of the drinking center - the main cause of uncontrolled thirst. The center processes the signals coming from the liquid structures of the body and compares the level of osmotic pressure, the level of Na +. The process involves thyroid and pancreatic hormones.

Acceptance of certain medicines can provoke intense thirst, sensations of dryness in oral cavity and larynx. Among them: antipsychotics, diuretics and antibiotics.

Intense thirst during pregnancy

During the period of bearing a child, the rate of fluid intake should increase slightly. Doctors recommend that pregnant women consume 300 ml more water than the usual daily allowance, while the daily allowance should not exceed 2 liters of fluid.

Thirst may increase in the last trimester of pregnancy due to the entry into the bloodstream of a specific protein that is produced by liver cells.

During the period of intrauterine development of the child, the mother's kidneys experience additional stress. The hormone angiotensin provokes additional thirst.

Thirst in a child

The World Health Organization has calculated the daily fluid intake for young children based on total body weight.

For a 5 kg baby, the daily fluid intake (including mother's milk) is 800 ml.

For a 10 kg child, the norm increases to 1 liter per day.

Daily fluid intake for children depending on age

1-3 years - 1.3 liquids (of which 350 ml of milk, soups, juices, fruits);
4-8 years - 1.7 l;
9-13 years old - 1.8 l;
14-18 years old - (boys: 1.9 l, girls: 1.6 l).

In especially mobile children and adolescents, increased thirst is a normal phenomenon, but in order to exclude a pathological process, one should undergo an examination.

Diagnostics

To identify the causes of excessive thirst, the therapist must collect an anamnesis and take into account the peculiarity of the patient's daily regimen, the number of daily urination, and the daily diet.

If necessary, conduct laboratory blood tests for:

determination of plasma glucose levels;
osmotic concentration of potassium, calcium and sodium in the blood;
blood chemistry;
determination of the level of general indicators and the relative density of urine.

Based on the results obtained, the thirsty patient will be referred to the appropriate specialist.

How to deal with increased thirst

At a consultation with your doctor, you should determine the optimal and maximum daily fluid intake. Much will depend on the individual characteristics of the body, gender and age.

It should be remembered that alcoholic and carbonated drinks with additives do not weaken thirst, but, on the contrary, increase it. Not recommended for thirst quenching mineral water saturated with salts. Optimum temperature water to quench thirst - not lower than 22 ° C. Cold and excessively chilled water is not The best decision with intense thirst.

Strong thirst is provoked by fried and fatty foods, all kinds of spices and pickles.

Benefits of drinking plenty of water

Scientists conducting research in the 21st century have come to the conclusion that consuming excess water is only permissible for:

athletes;
people engaged in heavy physical labor in the open air;
residents of hot climates.

Drinking too much water causes sodium to be flushed out of the body. There is no scientific evidence that excess fluid has a positive effect on human systems and organs.

Excess water also does not increase skin turgor, which cosmetic manufacturers so stubbornly convince consumers of.

Harm of heavy drinking

Doctors of all countries agree that the daily amount of drinking should be moderate. Modern advertising of excess consumption of bottled water is aimed only at increasing sales. You should trust the wishes of the body and not go to extremes.

If physical activity during training leads to weight loss, then it is not recommended to replenish this weight due to excessive fluid intake.

Systems and organs affected by excessive water intake

the work of the digestive system worsens;
an additional load on the kidneys is created (the body begins to remove excess fluid through the pores and kidneys, which leads to the washing out of useful salts and trace elements);
the cardiovascular system functions with increased load;
muscle tone is disturbed;
there is a feeling of fatigue, fatigue, sometimes muscle spasms are observed.

Symptoms and causes of excess water in the body (hyperhydration)

Hypotonic hyperhydration - a condition that is otherwise called water poisoning. Excess fluid accumulates in the cells of the body themselves.

one-time intake of more than 10 liters of water (including gastric lavage);
violation of the excretory function of the kidneys (renal failure, cirrhosis);
heart failure.

Symptoms:

diarrhea;
vomit;
apathy, weakness;
loss of consciousness;
muscle spasms.

Hypertensive dehydration - a condition characterized by dehydration of cells with the simultaneous removal of potassium ions from them. Accumulation of extracellular fluid. The most dangerous condition among all types of water poisoning.

sea water was used to quench thirst;
intravenous injection of saline solutions;
an excess of the hormone aldosterone.

Symptoms:

strong thirst (drinking complicates the condition);
arterial hypertension;
increased venous pressure;
damage to the central nervous system, mental disorder;
muscle spasms;
rapidly developing heart failure, pulmonary and cerebral edema.

Isotonic hyperhydration - extracellular fluid increases in volume.

heart failure;
liver failure;
toxicosis during pregnancy;
protein starvation of the body;
violation of the outflow of fluid into the lymphatic vessels.

Symptoms:

general swelling of the body;
heart failure;
arterial hypertension.

Dehydration is a dangerous condition that can be fatal if not treated immediately. To stabilize the condition, doctors use diuretics and a hemodialysis procedure.

How to remove excess fluid

Excess fluid that has accumulated in certain areas of the body is most easily seen on the face in the form of swelling under the eyes. The main task is to identify the cause of swelling and only then take appropriate measures to eliminate it. The daily rate of fluid should be established taking into account the recommendations of the attending physician.

You need to thoroughly review your diet and minimize the consumption of salt, spices and foods that contain preservatives.

Alcohol and refined sugar, along with salt, are the main puffiness-causing foods.

Vegetable fiber is involved in the process of fluid withdrawal. You can reduce your fluid intake and opt for fiber-rich vegetables and unsweetened fruits. Switch to pure water and eliminate all junk drinks.

A lack of B vitamins can cause fluid retention and morning puffiness. On the recommendation of a doctor, you need to choose a vitamin complex.

A glass of warm water on an empty stomach - normalizes the stool. During physical activity in the gym, it is recommended to drink water in small quantities.

Drinking water in the usual amount is vital during the diet. But, it should be remembered: water will not relieve the feeling of hunger, although it will help to cope with inappropriate snacks.

You should not abuse the liquid before bedtime - swelling may occur in the morning.

Drinking water immediately before eating is strictly contraindicated. The liquid will flush out the beneficial enzymes that break down food in the stomach. You need to drink liquid no earlier than 30 minutes before a meal. Drinking food is also not recommended if your goal is to reduce weight.

Additional fluid sources

Apples are an alternative for those who are thirsty. Half the weight of an eaten apple enters the body as a liquid.

The feeling of thirst in the hot summer months is perfectly quenched by a chilled decoction of apple peel and green tea. Water with the addition of lemon or other fruit should be at room temperature

Excess fluid, as well as its lack, adversely affects general state body, disrupts the functioning of internal organs, adversely affects the condition of the hair and skin.

Important information about what will happen if you drink a lot of water daily is set out in the following video:

To date, there are no scientifically sound studies proving the beneficial effects of excessive amounts of fluid on human health. Do not fall for the inventions of traditional healers, advertising of well-known brands and other unreliable information. Remember: common sense still remains your best adviser. Follow him and stay healthy.