This Is The Maximum Amount Of Water You Should Drink Each Day
According to the Chicago Tribune, nearly half of all Americans are not drinking enough water. While there are no clear answers on exactly how much water you should drink every day, The Mayo Clinic recommends the average adult man living in a temperate climate should drink around 3.7 liters of water per day, and the average adult woman living in a temperate climate should drink about 2.7 liters per day.
They claim the old advice to drink eight, 8-ounce glasses of water per day does actually represent an easy-to-remember formula with a reasonable goal. Unfortunately, some people have read the news that we, in general, are not drinking enough water, and then take it to the extreme, which can make you very sick.
We researched the maximum amount of water you should drink per day, and the signs and symptoms of overhydration, or water intoxication (which, yes, is a thing), so you know when you are at risk for becoming seriously ill.
Drinking too much water can cause overhydration, or water intoxication
Healthline reports overhydration as an imbalance in the body that occurs when you take in more fluid than your kidneys can handle. This imbalance dilutes your blood, and can be caused by either water overconsumption or your body retaining water. They suggest you monitor your hydration levels by taking a peek at the color of your urine, with the goal being a pale yellow color. Dark yellow or brown urine is a warning sign that you are dehydrated, while completely clear means you are overhydrating and need to slow down. Symptoms of overhydration include nausea and vomiting, confusion, and headaches. Overhydration for an extended period of time causes low sodium levels in your blood, which can manifest in muscle spasms and cramps, unconsciousness, or seizures.
The issue is not only how much water you drink, but how long you take to drink it. Medical News Today asserts you are at greater risk for water intoxication if you drink a lot in a short span of time versus pacing your consumption out over the course of the day. Most people's kidneys eliminate 20 to 28 liters of water per day, at a maximum of one liter per hour. They claim this is the absolute maximum amount of water you should drink each day, but the best thing to do is just listen to your body and drink when you're thirsty. Being aware of your own needs should be enough to keep you adequately hydrated throughout the day.