2 liters is just a convention. Depending on age, activity, climate and many other factors, the amount of fluid you drink can change both up and down. Recent studies show that there is no direct relationship between drinking two liters of water and benefits. Moreover, the quantity is far from the most important indicator.

What does dehydration lead to?

Almost 65% of a person consists of water, and all processes in the body take place with its participation. If a person can live without food for a month or more, then without water - no more than three days. When an insufficient amount of fluid is consumed, the body goes into an economical mode of operation, extracting water from the skin, joints and providing water only to the most important organs. As a result of dehydration, you may face the following problems.

Slowdown of metabolic processes... If there is a lack of fluid in the body, the metabolism slows down significantly, the burning of calories in rest mode is practically reduced to zero, and as a result, a person gains weight faster.
Minimum productivity... A person who does not consume the required amount of water works much slower, and the quality of his work decreases. We become more scattered, as brain cells are not sufficiently enriched with essential substances. Also, in a dehydrated state, fatigue is much more felt and endurance is lost.
Strong appetite... If you are constantly hungry, most often it means that you are thirsty. The body tries to compensate for the lack of water with the liquid contained in the products, from this there is a constant feeling of hunger.
Accelerated aging process... Compensating the body for a lack of fluid from skin cells is fraught with a much faster appearance of wrinkles, which are caused by the consequences of dehydration of the skin.
Changes in mood... Scientists have shown that if a person experiences a lack of fluid, then he becomes more aggressive, gets tired more, and is more prone to depression and mental disorders.
Do you know that a person at birth is 90% water, and in old age no more than 55%? And the fact that the female body contains less fluid - about 60%, when in the male - 65%?

Therefore, you need to drink not when the body is thirsty (this is a clear sign of dehydration), but constantly throughout the day, when you want and don't want to.

The benefits of water for the body

If, for the sake of interest, try to live for at least a month without any drinks except water, then soon you will notice positive changes in both appearance and well-being. Let's find out what kind of changes await you.


What happens if you only drink water

Greater productivity and creativity... By giving preference to water, after a month you will begin to notice that the work of the brain has significantly accelerated, and all tasks are easier to solve. By enriching the brain cells with the necessary fluid and oxygen, the activity of the brain can be improved by almost a third.
Prolongation of youth... Adequate amount of fluid significantly slows down the aging process of the skin, making it smoother and more elastic. Dark circles under the eyes will gradually disappear. Also, clean water has a positive effect on muscle tone.
Strengthening immunity... Drinking enough water is the most affordable and reliable way to prevent many diseases. Water starts metabolic processes in the body. With its correct use, it is possible to normalize the functioning of the kidneys, thereby getting rid of edema.
Healthy heart... Maintaining water balance in the body prevents the blood clotting process, thereby lowering blood pressure and reducing the likelihood of a heart attack. Drinking just one glass of water before bedtime, you supply the blood with oxygen and carry out a kind of prevention of heart attack and stroke.
Strong joints... Water is an excellent reconstructor of cartilage tissue, which is necessary to protect joints from damage and unnecessary stress.
Accelerated metabolism... Water keeps the metabolism in good shape, not allowing these processes to stagnate and slow down. Drinking a glass of water on an empty stomach can speed up your metabolism.
Weight loss... If you monitor your diet, then water will help you lose weight faster. Do not be alarmed if you notice a slight increase in weight, as soon as the body gets used to the new water regime, the weight will not only normalize, but also decrease.

Now let's talk about how you can calculate the required amount of water depending on your weight. By all means, doctors urge to consume at least two liters of water daily. However, such an established rate may seem excessive to some. This is not surprising, the most optimal is not just to follow the general figures, but to correctly calculate the rate for yourself.


So, if you want to know how much water you need to consume daily, then follow this simple proportion:. Thus, if your weight is 55 kg, then your daily allowance is 1650 ml of water. If you want to get in shape and say goodbye to excess weight, then this amount can be slightly increased (up to 50 ml per 1 kg of weight).

Drink water evenly throughout the day.

    1. ... You do not need to try to drink the entire volume at a time - this is not only wrong, but also harmful. It is better to distribute the required amount evenly throughout the day and drink in small sips, since our body cannot perceive a large volume of water.

Start your morning with a glass of water

    1. ... It is better not to neglect this advice, a glass of water on an empty stomach helps to awaken the body and start metabolic processes. One glass of water, drunk on an empty stomach, speeds up the metabolism by more than twenty percent.

Do not drink immediately after eating

    1. ... Contrary to our habits, after drinking liquid after eating, gastric juice is diluted, and the absorption of food is significantly slowed down. It is best to drink water 30 minutes before meals or 2 hours later.

Drink water more often during exercise

    1. ... During active sports, the body loses its internal moisture, so it is simply necessary to restore the water balance. For this purpose, drink water in small sips at least every half hour.

Drink more water during the flight

    1. ... The air inside the aircraft is pressurized, so it is very dry. To avoid dehydration of the skin and the body in general, try to drink more water during the flight.

Drink plenty of fluids in the summer.

    1. ... In the warm season, the body loses more moisture (natural consumption), plus active sweating due to heat. Because of this, more fluid is required to normalize the water balance, but the rate must be increased correctly and carefully. On average, 500 ml can be added to the usual volume of liquid, doctors do not advise increasing the rate anymore, as this will provoke more profuse sweating. It is not recommended to drink ice-cold water during a hot period: due to a sharp temperature drop, even hardened people can get sore throats.

During the heating season, increase the water rate

    ... Heating greatly dries up the air in the room, so either buy a humidifier or increase the amount of water used.

What temperature should the water be for drinking

The most important thing here is measure! The temperature must be controlled, because too cold or too hot water will not have a positive effect on the body, quite the opposite.

Too cold water can cause spasms of the vocal cords or cause colds, sore throats, and loss of voice. Although experts have proven that drinking cold water speeds up metabolic processes, since the body is forced to spend energy on "heating" the water.

In turn, too hot water destroys tooth enamel, can cause burns to the mucous membrane, causing discomfort for a certain time.

How to choose water for drinking

Concerned about your health, you involuntarily ask yourself what kind of water you can drink. Despite the fact that it is a natural resource, today they have managed to make water in short supply.

Can I drink distilled water??

Some people drink huge amounts of distilled water every day. Is it so safe and can it be used at all? Let's figure it out. Such water is completely free of any impurities. It is simply a liquid devoid of the minerals the body needs. You can drink it, but there is no benefit from it, therefore it is better to replace distilled water with spring, mineral, thawed or ordinary water purified from harmful impurities.

Can I drink boiled water??

Now there are many opinions about whether or not to drink boiled water. Going through the boiling process, all bacteria are destroyed in it, but it also loses trace elements and oxygen and becomes just a dead liquid. In addition, all harmful impurities are not removed during the boiling process, therefore, experts advise to limit the flow of boiled water into the body and use raw water purified from chlorine and harmful substances. To do this, it is enough to purchase the simplest filter.

Is it possible to drink mineral water?

Carbonated water, if it's just unsweetened mineral water, does a great job of relieving thirst. However, the carbon dioxide that is part of it has an effect on the body. It should be used with caution by people with stomach diseases, since artificially added carbon dioxide can provoke gastritis. It is better to choose healing mineral water (Borjomi, Essentuki), which is enriched with carbon dioxide in natural conditions.

Can I drink tap water?

Any water today is controversial. Plain tap water is no exception. Tap water goes through many stages of purification with the addition of reagents that neutralize harmful substances and impurities contained in it. No matter how the quality of such water is controlled, impurities of chlorine and various impurities from underground pipes still remain in the tap water, therefore it is undesirable to drink it without additional purification.

Water with lemon and / or honey

Water with the addition of lemon acts as an energy drinker, an immunostimulant, helps fight colds, cleanses the body of harmful accumulations and promotes weight loss. To prepare a drink, pour a couple of lemon slices with warm water and let it brew for 15 minutes. If you wish, you can add a small amount of honey or cinnamon - this will not only add taste, but also fill the body with useful elements.

Does water help you lose weight

Water is the most affordable way to help you lose weight, provided that you monitor your diet and lead an active lifestyle. Drinking a glass of water before a meal speeds up your metabolism, resulting in increased calorie expenditure. Also, the liquid maintains the elasticity of the skin, which is why stretch marks will not appear during weight loss.

How to drink water correctly and how much to lose weight for sure:

increase fluid intake (norm + 2-4 extra glasses);
drink in small sips throughout the day;
drink a glass of water on an empty stomach 10-15 minutes before breakfast and before each meal;
refrain from drinking water for two hours after eating;
use ordinary purified water.

You need to accustom your body to water. If you always drank little water, and then sharply decided to use the recommended rate, then this may affect your well-being. To learn how to drink more water, you just need to follow some simple rules.


Every action is a glass of water

    1. ... Try to accompany every action with water. A glass in the morning, a glass before work, a glass before bed. It will soon become a habit.

Always carry a bottle of water with you

    1. ... This will help you use it more often throughout the day - at work, at home, and anywhere else.

Leave a glass of water next to you

    1. ... You will automatically start taking small sips as you work.

Flavoring additives

    1. ... If you don't want or can't drink plain water, add a few drops of lemon or a pinch of cinnamon.

Replace tea and coffee with water

    1. ... The benefits of such a solution are obvious. Coffee significantly dehydrates the body, and if it is replaced with clean water, the water balance will be maintained at the proper level.

Use special applications

    ... Now there are a lot of applications created to control water balance, which will notify you about the need to drink water throughout the day.

If it was not possible to drink the right amount of water in a day, in no case should this deficiency be replenished before bedtime, this can cause puffiness.

Myths and misconceptions

8 glasses of water a day

    1. ... This is a highly generalized figure and is not suitable for every person. You need to drink not 8 glasses, but the required amount, depending on weight and other factors.

Do not drink while playing sports

    1. ... With increased activity, the body becomes dehydrated, so it is imperative to replenish the water balance with small portions of liquid.

Water heals colds

    1. ... By itself, water will not cure any disease, but it will somewhat speed up the process of removing the infection.

Water removes toxins and toxins

    1. ... It is a myth. Water helps to cleanse the body of some toxic substances and medicines, it does not affect the elimination of toxins from the body. Moreover, when a large amount of fluid is consumed, minerals useful for it are flushed out of the body.

Water helps you lose weight

    1. ... This is partly true. Although water promotes metabolism, if you lead a passive lifestyle and do not follow your diet, water will not help you lose weight.

You can't drink while eating

    1. ... It is not true, it is better to abstain from water after eating. But during a meal, a couple of sips of room temperature water helps faster saturation and has a positive effect on digestion.

Bottled water

    ... Marketing pure water! Drinking water must contain a certain amount of minerals. In most cases, purchased water practically does not contain these substances; it is just a liquid that has little benefit. Plus, it comes in plastic that contains BPA. And if the bottle was stored incorrectly, for example, left in a warm place, this substance is released when heated. So there is more harm than good from such water. Therefore, either buy water in glass bottles, or get a filter and drink plain water.

If for some reason (for example, you trust in terms of microbial indicators), you cannot refuse bottled water, carefully read the label before buying:

chlorides - 70-100 mg / l;
magnesium - 2-10 mg / l;
sulfates - up to 5-30 mg / l;
calcium - 10-20 mg / l;
hydrocarbonates - 140-300 mg / l;
potassium 1-10 mg / l;
fluorides - 0.7-1.5 mg / l.

Water is a magical remedy, its benefits are obvious. A glass of water is the enrichment of the body with the moisture it needs, the acceleration of metabolism, the maintenance of the body in good shape, a rejuvenating agent - solid pluses! Try to change your habits and drink water correctly and in the right amount, and you will notice how your well-being and appearance will change for the better.

For the most part, humans are water. Fluid intake should be regular. It is a fuel, a "sponge" for such a process as, as well as a guarantee of skin elasticity. But the beneficial properties of water, when consumed excessively, turn into harmful ones.

A little or a lot?

In order for the body to function fully, a person per day. This includes all liquid components: teas, compotes, juices, soups. Clean water is needed no more than one and a half liters. The figure may vary depending on external factors. For example, if you sweat profusely as a result of heat or vigorous exercise, your need for water increases.

The human body is a special system. There is a certain type of people who can not drink for hours and their fluid intake per day does not exceed 700 ml. When trying to increase the dosage, discomfort is observed. There is also another category of people who cannot live without liquid, and are able to drink 3-4 liters per day.

Attention! You need to listen to the body in order to understand whether a lot or a little water is needed.

Lack of water

With a constant lack of fluid in the body, a person becomes drowsy, and brain activity begins to slow down. Water is essential for constant physiological processes that occur in the human body both day and night. Among them:

  • metabolism;
  • cleansing from toxins;
  • supply of all tissues with nutrients.
Attention! With a lack of fluid, disorders in the cardiovascular system are characteristic, as well as intoxication of the body.

A useful product in large quantities becomes harmful. This also applies to clean drinking water. At first, with increased fluid intake in the body, all processes will be stimulated, the skin will rejuvenate, and even outwardly a person will look healthier. When moisture accumulates in all tissues and internal organs, negative aspects of high fluid intake will begin to appear:
  1. Failure of the kidneys, as they have to work with heavy loads.
  2. High blood pressure.
  3. Washing out salts and minerals from the bones.
  4. Multiple soft tissue edema.
Attention! Passion for water leads to numerous diseases, instead of benefits for the body.

Myths about water

Fans of high water consumption are deceived by various myths about the benefits of the product. There are especially many misconceptions about losing weight with liquid.

Water cannot break down fats, and therefore its excessive consumption will not help to lose weight, while swelling is easy to earn. The only plus of a large intake of water when dieting is. This helps to reduce weight, but only if the fluid is not consumed in excess of the norm.

There is also a misconception that water can cleanse the body at the time of poisoning. Many people use it as a universal cleaning agent and try to remove the symptoms of poisoning with enemas. In fact, this is a transport for substances. It will help induce vomiting in food poisoning to clear out the stomach.

Poisoning by water

Sometimes, when a person drinks a lot of water due to a fanatical adherence to a healthy lifestyle, poisoning is observed. This is due to the deformation of cells, which leads to disruptions in the work of internal organs. The symptoms are as follows:

  • dizziness;
  • vomit;
  • loss of orientation in space;
  • loss of consciousness.
Therefore, doctors remind about the benefits of water, but at the same time they recommend not to abuse it.

Studies have shown that without food, the human body can survive for a month, but without water - only a week. But there is still controversy about the daily norm for the average person. Is it harmful to drink a lot of water, or, on the contrary, is too low its consumption dangerous? In this we will try to figure it out.

Even a schoolboy knows that 2/3 of our body is water. But in fact it depends on age. The older a person is, the less liquid there is.

According to statistics, 70-75% of the body weight of babies is water, in children 1-10 years old it is already only 60-65%, but by the age of 50 it remains only 50%.

It is this factor that scientists explain the aging process. Over the years, our cells lose the ability to absorb and retain water.

The distribution of water mass in our body looks even more interesting. 2/3 of its total amount is contained inside the cells, the rest is outside of them.

At the same time, the liquid in the human body is in the process of circulation all the time, and this is what supports the vital activity of all organs. For example, there is 75% water in the brain, so its lack is expressed in headaches. The least amount of fluid is found in adipose tissues - 12% and in bones - 20%.

Water consumption rate

What doctors and scientists agreed on unanimously was that it is enough for an ordinary person to consume 1.5-2 liters per day. It is this amount that is sufficient for the body to function without interruption. What happens if you drink too much water? There are quite a few supporters of the position that does not recommend turning your body into a pool. They give the following arguments:

  • Water does not have the ability to dissolve fat and remove it from the body. In this regard, drinking more to lose weight is not at all important.
  • Water cannot satisfy hunger, since it does not stay in the body for a long time and leaves its limits rather quickly.
  • Excess fluid puts unnecessary stress on the kidneys, which begin to function beyond their capacity. And this, in turn, leads to an increase in blood pressure.
  • Consuming more water than the body requires leads to the excretion of salts and, as a result, to a violation of the water-alkaline balance.

In addition, due to a malfunction of the kidneys, excess fluid will begin to fill the intercellular space in our body, and this is a direct road to puffiness.

Drinking regimen

Along with the question of why it is harmful to drink a lot of water, an important dilemma remains, how much does a person need to maintain normal life. It is extremely important to know the norm: there is no longer any doubt that a lack of life-giving moisture leads to a loss of working capacity, rapid fatigue, and the occurrence of various diseases.

Before setting yourself any fluid intake regime, it is worth considering the following factors:

  • body weight;
  • working conditions;
  • the amount of food consumed;
  • climatic conditions;
  • physical exercise;
  • diseases.

Research has identified several options for fluid intake throughout the day. Each of them deserves attention and has a right to exist. Just choose the one that suits you personally:

  1. 3-4 times a day, two hours after meals.
  2. 3-4 times a day 2 hours before meals.
  3. In small portions in several doses throughout the day, without reference to the diet.

In general, in order to restore water balance, each person needs to drink 40 ml of liquid per 1 kg of their weight.

But this fact does not mean that water must be poured into oneself by force. If another glass of liquid just doesn't fit, you don't have to drink it.

What else can be considered water

Do you need to drink a lot of water if you drink a lot of other drinks in addition to it during the day? More often than not, no. Most of the products that appear on our table contain some amount of liquid, which can also be counted.

Here is a list of the so-called "solid" water, indicating the percentage of liquid:

  • vegetables, fruits - 80-95%;
  • cottage cheese - 65-78%;
  • milk - 88%;
  • eggs - 74%;
  • cheese - 40-50%;
  • bread - 40-45%

Of course, only water can be the best substitute for water. Preferably still and not mineral. But in recent years, nutritionists have become inclined to believe that any drink can already be considered a component of those very daily 1.5 liters.

You just need to take into account that, since all other drinks are not water, they cannot have only a positive effect. For example, an infinite number of cups of coffee can lead to insomnia, and juices will share their calories with your thighs.

Fresh vegetables diluted with water and herbal teas are good alternatives to regular water.

And the last thing: know the measure of everything. In no case should you tolerate the feeling of thirst. This leads to dehydration. As soon as you feel thirsty, immediately seize the opportunity to satisfy this need. Otherwise, the consequences can be very unpleasant.

What happens if you drink a lot of water: Video

Water is extremely important for the human body and its main constituent. The metabolic processes in humans are arranged in such a way that if the body lacks fluid, the metabolism stops. Water is also involved in the regulation of body temperature.

Even a slight lack of fluid can lead to disruptions in the work of all organs and systems, including the central nervous system. With a lack of water, a person becomes irritable, weak, both physically and emotionally.

At the end of the article, we have prepared a surprise 🎁 - an exciting test to test your attentiveness 😃

The human body is approximately 70% water. It is found in every cell of the body. Its entire volume falls on the intracellular fluid, 30% - on the intercellular fluid. Adipose tissue in the human body is 29% water, the bone skeleton is 22%, blood is 83%, and the eyes are 99% altogether. Water plays an important role in the smooth functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and maintains the correct level of blood viscosity. Together with sweat, it removes harmful products of mineral and protein metabolism from the body.

Water-salt balance: optimal level

As depressing as it may sound, a person can live without water for no more than 5 days, while without food, taking into account the consumption of liquid - 25. Depending on the individual characteristics of the organism, 2 liters of water per day is considered the norm.

Of course, the amount of fluid consumed is directly related to the climatic conditions in which the individual lives. The higher the temperature, the greater the natural moisture loss. Accordingly, more water is required for intake.

In addition, a person's occupation and hobbies are in direct proportion to the amount of moisture consumed: with moderate and vigorous physical activity, for example, systematic workouts in the gym, you should consume at least 3-5 liters per day.

A fatal outcome from a lack of water is possible with a deficiency of 25% of fluid from body weight. However, even in such critical situations, death can be avoided by reducing the need for fluids by up to 10%. In this case, the body will slowly but surely recover.

Interesting!

The feeling of hunger can occur with intense thirst: the level of glucose in the blood rises, which leads to the appearance of this feeling.

Intense thirst: causes

The feeling of thirst is a natural reaction of the body to changes in the water-salt balance. It appears during active physical activity, the use of fatty and salty foods, as well as at a high temperature of the environment in which a person is. A constant and persistent feeling of thirst may indicate the presence of systemic diseases. It is formed by receiving the corresponding signals in the brain by the drinking center. In turn, it is influenced by:

  • Cortex;
  • Limbic system;
  • Hypothalamus.

Disturbances in the work of these areas of the brain, as well as the defects of the drinking center itself, cause an unreasonable feeling of thirst. A constant desire to drink can be caused by the following conditions and diseases:

  • Poisoning;
  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Hyponatremia;
  • Adrenal adenoma;
  • Renal failure;
  • Diabetes.

The feeling of thirst can also be caused by some medications of various actions.

Consequence of excessive water intake (overhydration)

Overhydration occurs when a lot of water is present in the human body. This can lead to swelling in the face and legs, as well as ascites with pulmonary and cerebral edema. A large amount of water in the body leads to an increase in the load on the kidneys and a violation of the water-salt balance. In this case, the liquid turns from a vital component into ballast, therefore it is not recommended to drink water.

Interesting!

Overhydration can occur with conditions requiring gastric lavage, such as poisoning. In this case, the medical staff pours up to 10 liters of water through the esophagus into the human body. Specialists simply do not allow the body to enter a state of overhydration.

Symptoms and treatment of overhydration

Symptoms of overhydration include:

  • Muscle spasms;
  • Feeling of nausea, vomiting;
  • Diarrhea;
  • General weakness;
  • Loss of consciousness.

Treatment in case of overhydration should be timely: hemodialysis is used to correct the condition - an apparatus that helps to normalize metabolism. Diuretics are prescribed - diuretics. With overhydration, proper nutrition plays an important role: foods eaten should not be high in sugar and salt. Alcohol is prohibited during treatment. Alcohol, as well as excessively sweet and salty foods, helps to retain moisture in the body.

It is believed that if you drink 5 liters of water, a person will not suffer from overhydration. However, it is worth considering the individual characteristics of the body: for someone, even such an amount of water taken in a short time can become fatal.

The volume of food and liquid entering the body is directly related to a person's weight. If you drink too much water, swelling of the body may occur, so you should not get carried away with plenty of drinking.

Correct drinking for weight loss

In order to quickly lose weight, you need to follow a few simple rules:

  1. In the process of losing weight, only pure water is taken into account: tea, coffee, juices are not taken into account. In addition, coffee does lead to dehydration of the body, working as a diuretic. It is worth remembering that after a cup of this drink you need to drink a glass of clean water;
  2. Drinking water in the morning on an empty stomach will speed up your metabolism, which will have a positive effect on the process of losing weight. Often, cinnamon, mint, honey or lemon are added to the liquid in the morning;
  3. Drinking water before eating can help reduce hunger and improve gastrointestinal function. A person often confuses simple thirst with the desire to eat;
  4. For drinking, it is important to use only clean water that does not contain life-threatening components;
  5. It is worth drinking the liquid in small sips: this minimizes the load on the kidneys and the feeling of thirst passes faster;
  6. Hunger often occurs between the set times of eating during the period of weight loss. Drinking water in such cases will help reduce its severity.

Carbonated water: benefit or harm

There is an established opinion in society that if you drink a lot of carbonated water, then problems begin with three organs and systems at once: the gastrointestinal tract, bone skeleton and tooth enamel. Let's find out if this is really so.

Gastrointestinal tract

Soda is obtained by adding carbon dioxide to a conventional mineral water under pressure. Drinking this water can lead to hiccups and indigestion. However, there is evidence from studies that have shown that drinking soda water for diseases such as constipation and dyspepsia leads to an improvement in the condition.

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

How thirst arises

According to biologists, the main reason why a person is thirsty 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 the occurrence of blood clots, which means that the nutrition of a specific area of ​​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 that calls for increased fluid levels in the body. This happens, for example, in the heat, when a person sweats and the liquid evaporates.

Drinking a lot of water is destructive

It turns out that it is better for the body to drink more fluids? Not at all. It is known that the more you drink in the heat, the more you want. The body sweats more profusely at this moment, and along with the increased amount of evaporated moisture, more salt is removed from 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 accustom himself to increased water consumption, then in normal cold weather it harms many internal organs. Domestic gastroenterologists warn: drinking too much can dilute gastric juice, it ceases to be concentrated and destructive for microbes that enter the stomach with food. Water allows them to survive, which means that the risk of developing infections increases. However, many scientists are still arguing about exactly how much liquid is excessive.

Some people find that drinking plenty of fluids can help improve kidney function. French nephrologist Pierre Ronceau explains in his scientific work 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 urine concentration. But the more a person drinks, the less the kidneys have to save water, and the tubules, created specifically for reabsorption, work worse over time. If the body in hot weather is 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 liquid is retained in tissue cells, edema occurs, which provoke an increase in pressure in the walls of blood vessels. Then headaches begin. Swollen lymph nodes due to increased moisture also do not cope with their task - immunity decreases, and only 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 intake, despite the side effects in the form of slight edema, declare real weight loss. So, for effective weight loss, you still need a lot of water?

At first, drinking plenty of water really improves the function of the intestines, it increases peristalsis, the passage of food through the departments is faster, which means that digestion products are more efficiently excreted, and the weight decreases. But after three months, the situation is changing. 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 secretions 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: the cells of the hormonal glands overflowing with moisture cannot fully participate in metabolic processes due to a lack of energy.

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

Do athletes need a lot of water?

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

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