What if we also tell you that you’ve been misled all this while when it comes to water and general beliefs around it? While it is true that our body constitutes of around 70% water, excess intake of water can be fatal too. We bust common myths about water intake.
Myth 1: Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water is good and beneficial for health
Fact: It can turn fatal in some cases.
Yes, it is shockingly true that too much water in the body can prove dangerous and lead to water intoxication or hyponatremia (it is a condition that occurs when the level of sodium in blood is abnormally low). When vital levels of sodium in blood become abnormally low it can cause mild to severe health conditions, ranging from lethargy and nausea to convulsions and coma. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water is not good for all, especially if a person has medical restriction. People suffering from kidney disorder or congestive heart failure have water intake restrictions and should consult a doctor.
Myth 2: Drinking water will help in cleansing bodily toxins
Fact: Drinking excess water will not clear the toxins of the body. In fact, toxins are cleared by the kidneys. Drinking large quantity of water will possibly reduce our kidneys functioning as a natural filter.
Myth 3: Drinking water between meals is bad for digestion
Fact: There is no scientific evidence for this claim. Drinking water between meals can probably reduce your appetite as your stomach feels full. If you were worried that drinking water between meals would seriously affect your digestion, forego of this thought, right away.
Myth 4: Bottled water can cause tooth decay
Fact: Bottled water in itself doesn’t cause the teeth to decay, but it usually doesn’t contain any fluoride, which is added to tap water to help prevent tooth decay. “Fluoride is an important element in mineralisation of bone and teeth,” says Constance Brown-Riggs, a nutritionist and certified diabetes educator in New York City. “With the increased consumption of bottled water, which is not fluoridated, there has been an increase in dental cavities.”
Myth 5: Yellow urine is a sign of dehydration
Fact: It can be, but not all yellow urine is cause for an alarm. Dark yellow urine may be a sign of dehydration. The kidneys filter waste products and reabsorb water and other useful substances from the blood, so they control the volume and concentration of urine output. Dehydration leads to increased urine concentration, turning your urine dark yellow. Ideally your urine should be straw yellow in colour. Other factors, though, such as taking a multivitamin, can also lead to yellow urine.