Abundant water but not too much

2008/08/31 Arakistain Aizpiri, Lorea - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa

• Dietetika/Elikagaiak
• Osasuna

What we have mentioned could be a hypothesis, but since we know real cases, it is a description of reality. A year and a half ago, in early 2007, we learned that an American woman died for drinking water in excess. He participated in a contest organized by a radio network. There, who drank more water without urinating, would take the Wii console. This woman did not get console and also lost her life.

This year we have known mental paralysis. An English woman was on a diet called 'detox' or detoxification. The dietitian is believed to have recommended that she drink the maximum water and drink no salt. The effect of aquatic intoxication occurred two weeks after the beginning of the diet: mental paralysis.

Detoxification diets are made to lose weight by eliminating toxins. According to these diets, the toxins we take with food and drinks stick to the body. On the contrary, when drinking water, they pour and thin. However, the body has a system of expulsion of toxins: the liver. Therefore, these diets are of little value, except for visits to the bathroom.

Measure of water

It is true that what we have brought here are extremely extreme cases and that in this world are more those who die for lack of water than those who have died for excess water. But everything has its size.

Drinking water is absolutely necessary. It has vital functions: it transports food and gases, helps to remove waste (in urine and feces), regulates body temperature, helps to lubricate bone joints, provides softness to the skin and strength to tissues... but moderately. Taking two liters of liquid a day is an adequate measure. But those two liters are not only water, we also do it in infusions, coffees, vegetables or juices.

From there? Depending on the person, the heat and the effort, sometimes it may be necessary. But quiet, in these cases we have a mechanism that warns us: thirst. Moreover, there is no evidence that the consumption of more water contributes in a special way. The damage appears in extreme cases. But they are not of any kind. It is enough that one of the kidneys does not work properly to produce a water poisoning.

Aquatic intoxication

If the body takes excessive amounts of water, it does not know how to react and the system overflows. In fact, excess fluid dissolves the amount of salts in the blood, causing cells and organs to suffer a “flood.” In the worst case, mental cells and other organs can swell and stop working properly. When some areas of the head are swollen, the cranial pressure increases and the damage begins with the headache, continue with breathing problems and, finally, it can be the port of the head.

On the other hand, excess water can cause less dramatic damage. For example, drinking water for many years can lead to the accumulation of contaminants in water.

At this point, here is a note for those who have thought to start drinking beer for having drunk a lot of water. Although it seems curious, water poisoning can also occur without drinking water, with foods that form it. It has also been due to excessive consumption of beer.

Therefore, water yes and a lot, but not too much. Make no mistake, we are not fish!

Published in 7K.