Staying hydrated is important for our health but Marvel star Chris Pratt has proven there is such a thing as being too hydrated.
An article in Vanity Fair claimed that, while filming Guardians of the Galaxy, the actor had been advised by nutritionist to the stars, Philip Goglia, to drink ‘one glass of water for each pound the actor weighed’.
Chris reportedly weighed around 17 stone, meaning he would have been drinking almost 54 litres of water.
Immediately, health experts were quick to point out that’s an alarming amount of H20 to drink – even if you’re dehydrated.
It caused such a backlash, that Vanity Fair issues a correction, adding that it should have been an ounce of water for each pound the actor weighed – not a glass. But this still would equate to about seven or eight litres of water a day.
We spoke to Dr Nyrah Saleem who told Metro.co.uk that this amount of daily water intake can have negative effects on your health.
Dr Nyrah says: ‘Drinking 57 litres of water in a short period is obviously extreme and can lead to a condition called water intoxication or hyponatremia.
‘But drinking eight litres of water a day is still excessive. This amount of water intake far exceeds the typical recommended daily intake, which varies by individual, activity level, climate, and overall health, but is generally around two to three litres (or about 8 to 12 cups) per day.’
‘It’s really important to listen to your body’s signals of thirst and drink an appropriate amount of water to stay hydrated without overdoing it!’
Dr Nyrah adds that water poisoning is a very real condition, that needs to be taken seriously.
Dr Saleem says: ‘Water poisoning is dangerous because it disrupts the balance of electrolytes in the body, particularly sodium.
‘Sodium is crucial for maintaining various bodily functions, including nerve signalling and fluid balance.
‘When you drink an excessive amount of water, it can dilute the sodium levels in your blood to dangerous levels.
‘This dilution can lead to an imbalance of electrolytes, causing cells to swell. The brain cells are particularly sensitive to this swelling due to the limited space within the skull.’
As well as nausea and seizures, water poisoning can cause confusion and in extreme cases, coma or death, according to Dr Saleem.
‘Prompt medical attention is essential to correct sodium levels and manage the symptoms to prevent serious complications,’ she adds.
‘This is why water intoxication is considered a significant health risk and should be avoided by maintaining a balanced approach to hydration always!’
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