Too Much Water? 7 Signs It’s Time to Slow Down

We constantly hear about how important it is to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated, but you may not realise that some people are having the opposite problem.

Some people drink too much water, and this may actually have a negative impact on your health. Read on to discover the seven top signs it’s time to cut back.

1. You’re getting headaches.

While headaches are commonly listed as a sign of dehydration, they can also be a sign of over hydration.
Too much water causes your sodium levels to drop, which then causes your blood cells – and even your brain – to expand, causing a headache.

2. Your electrolyte levels are low.

Electrolytes such as sodium and potassium are mineral salts that your body relies on to carry electrical impulses. They are essential for a healthy heart and nervous system.
When you drink too much water, the electrolytes become diluted, lowering their levels and reducing their effects. Symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance include fatigue, headaches, an irregular heartbeat, nausea and changes to your mood.

3. You’re feeling sluggish throughout the day.

If you’re feeling sluggish – or as if your body is not processing the way it should be, this may be down to drinking too much water.
Drinking too much water can slow down your metabolism, lowering your levels of glucose and prevent it from producing energy efficiently.

4. You’re experiencing adrenal fatigue.

Adrenal fatigue is commonly associated with stress, however it can also be caused by drinking too much water due to the stress it puts on your body.
When trying to process too much water, the body will be working harder than usually necessary to filter it all, leading to over stimulated hormones and a feeling of fatigue.

5. Your muscles are cramping.

Over hydration can lead to muscle cramps, which also relate to lower levels of electrolytes. If you’re experiencing this, an easy way to replace the electrolytes in your system is coconut water or an electrolyte supplementary drink.

6. You’re visiting the bathroom too frequently.

If you’re drinking too much water, your kidneys will be filtering faster to try to keep up with the flow. As a result, you may end up having to rush to the bathroom several times an hour – a pretty clear indicator you’ve drunk too much water.

7. Your urine is clear.

It’s a common misconception that urine should be clear – it should always have some colour! A pale yellow indicates healthy hydration. Clear indicates too much hydration!

If you’ve noticed any of these signs apply to you, it may be a good idea to reconsider how much water you’re drinking to try to avoid over hydration. In any case, drinking the recommend amount is optimal for your body’s health.

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