Your sleep will suffer
Drinking too many liters of water during the day will result in you peeing all through the night – resulting in a poor night’s sleep. No matter how much you try and resist the urge, you’re guaranteed to wake up ready to burst, awakening you with a (sometimes painful) jolt.
You’ll bloat
If you’re trying to get rid of any stubborn belly flab, it’s probably best to go easy on the water. Stick to around six to eight glasses each day – any more than that and you may run the risk of bloating. This is your body holding onto excess water, making you seem heavier than you actually are.
Your appetite may decrease
Sipping on water can cause you to eat less. This is because the receptors in your brain will mistake the water intake as food, sending signals that you’re full. Of course, you shouldn’t swap out water for food – and water should be drank as part of a balanced, healthy diet.
You’ll regulate your body temperature
One benefit of guzzling down H2O is that it enables your body to regulate its internal temperature. You’ll find that you no longer feel the cold quite as sharply, nor do you feel excessively hot. This is because water distributes heat into the body, alongside transforming into sweat to cool you down.
You may suffer overhydration
Although it’s quite rare, overhydration is extremely dangerous. The condition can cause an array of adverse effects, all of which put your body under duress. It’ll be hard for your body to regulate its sodium levels, resulting in potential blood, heart, and muscle issues.
You may get less headaches
When you’re dehydrated, the tissues in your brain contract. As your brain shrinks in size, it pulls away from the skull, putting pressure on your nerves – hence the headache. Drinking water prevents this, keeping your brain the right size and stopping headaches in their tracks.
You might get more headaches
As with everything in life, everything should be enjoyed in moderation – including water. Drinking too much water can cause your brain to swell in size, causing throbbing head pain. Stick to around two to three liters of water a day to avoid any head pain.
Your social life may suffer
If you’re constantly guzzling down water, you’re naturally going to need to urinate more. This can be a pain while you’re out and about – potentially missing important events or conversations due to your need to visit the bathroom. While it won’t destroy your friendships, it’ll still be a reoccurring annoyance.
Digestion will improve
Water helps your body to break down any food, making it much easier to digest. It also allows your body to soak up all of those healthy nutrients found within your veggies, making staying hydrated vitally important. Drinking plenty of water has also been proven to combat constipation.
You could be more energetic
Finding it hard to motivate yourself to go to the gym? You may not be drinking enough water. Being parched can result in lower energy levels and a decreased mood, keeping you stuck on the couch. Sipping on water throughout the day fights this, putting a spring back in your step.
You may suffer from fatigue
Although water is widely known to boost energy levels, it can also have the opposite effect. Downing too much of the stuff can result in extreme levels of fatigue and grogginess, brought on by low electrolyte levels. It puts your body under strain, giving your kidneys more work to do, releasing a stress hormone that can cause tiredness.
Your cells will swell
One severe side effect of drinking too much water is swelling cells. This happens because your cells are quite literally full of water, causing them to expand in size. This can have an array of detrimental side effects, most commonly appearing as pain and discomfort.
You’ll dilute your electrolytes
Your electrolytes are vitally important to your body’s daily functions. Drinking too much water can interfere with these precious molecules, throwing off their delicate balance, and in some cases cause water intoxication. Thankfully, this will only happen if you drink huge quantities of water in a short period of time.
You’ll prevent infections
Sipping on plenty of H2O will keep numerous sicknesses and viruses at bay. As you increase your water intake, you may find that you’re less susceptible to catching colds than you used to be. This is because water flushes out toxins from our bodies, keeping everything functioning as it should.
You could get sickness and diarrhea
While drinking lots of water is most often attributed to better health, it can also have the opposite effect. If you drink too much, your kidneys will be unable to remove the excess liquid. This can lead to chronic bouts of sickness and diarrhea – which, ironically, make you dehydrated.
Your vision could suffer
In rare cases, drinking too much water can have adverse effects on your vision. This is because drinking excessively can cause your brain to swell, which, in turn, can result in symptoms like double or blurred vision, along with a slew of uncomfortable headaches.
Your organs will work more effectively
Want to ensure that all of your vital organs are working in tip-top shape? Make sure that you’re drinking enough water. Staying hydrated is particularly good for your kidneys, liver, and intestines, with the liquid flushing out any potentially harmful toxins from your system.
You could suffer with muscle cramps
While not drinking enough water can cause muscle issues, so can drinking too much. This is because an excess of liquid will cause your cells to swell. In turn, this can cause your skin and muscles to inflate, causing weak muscles to cramp and spasm.
You may feel nauseous
There’s a reason why you feel bloated after downing a pint of water – it’s simply too much for your body to handle. If you suddenly feel nauseous after drinking a lot, you may be suffering from overhydration. Cut it back, and try to sip on your drinks as opposed to pouring them down your throat.
Your joints will work better
If you’re looking to lead an active, pain-free lifestyle, you need to make sure you’re drinking around three liters of water each and every day. This is because the lubricants that surround your joints are primarily made up of H2O, helping to combat friction and reduce pain.
You may encounter breathing problems
If you find it hard to catch a breath, it may be because you’re consuming too much water. Your body reacts to high quantities of liquid by reducing its sodium levels, which in turn causes your internal organs to swell. If you’re finding it difficult to breathe, always seek medical advice.
Your feet or hands might swell
It may sound strange, but one sign that you’re drinking too much water is swollen hands and/or feet. It’s a key indicator of electrolyte imbalance caused by overhydration – something that occurs when your body is struggling to process high quantities of fluid. Drink less, and see if your extremities return to their normal size.
Your mood might improve
Not drinking enough water can cause moodiness, and, in some cases, cause mental health issues. On the flip side, studies have proved that staying hydrated can elevate energy and happiness levels, combating symptoms of depression and anxiety. Ensure you frequently sip on water to wake up ready to tackle the day.
You might get stomach pains
Your stomach is a sensitive organ, corresponding directly to what you’re consuming. Therefore, it’s important that you don’t give it too much – or too little – of any given food or drink. Constantly gulping down heaps of water can result in trapped wind and frequent bouts of gas, alongside bringing on generalized pain.
Brain fog could take over
It may be hard to believe, but consuming too many liquids can leave you feeling groggy, drowsy, and even confused. This occurs during overhydration, a potentially dangerous phenomenon that causes your brain to swell. With an increased pressure beneath your skull, your brain struggles to effectively function, leading to brain fog.
Your hair will shine
Forget your endless collection of hair products, there’s just one thing you need to truly achieve luscious locks – plenty of water! Drinking your recommended daily dose of water will prevent scalp itchiness, dandruff, and dry or brittle hair. The more water you drink, the shinier your hair will be.
You could become easily irritated
Just because drinking water can improve your mood, it doesn’t mean you should overdo it. In fact, drinking too much liquid can cause your temper to flare. This is due to a myriad of reasons – too much water resulting in a poor sleep, your body swelling and aching, or irregular brain activity.
Your skin will glow
Moisturizer is the second-most important skincare item – behind only water. Studies have shown that drinking plenty of water can promote blood flow, resulting in flushed, rosy cheeks. Furthermore, the liquid prevents your skin from becoming too elasticated, meaning you’ll be less likely to sag as you age.
Your pee will be totally clear
You don’t want your urine to look completely clear, as if you’re peeing out actual water. If that’s the case, you may be overhydrated. Having too much water in your system can throw everything out of balance, causing more severe symptoms further down the road.
It could prevent kidney stones
Nobody wants kidney stones, so it’s wise to stack the odds in your favor to avoid experiencing the painful sensation. Drinking plenty of h2O will dilute the substances found within urine that can lead to the formation of the stones, making staying hydrated vitally important.
Your blood pressure will improve
If you suffer from high blood pressure, there may be an easy fix – ensuring that you’re drinking enough water. The liquid makes up around 73% of the human heart, making staying hydrated a prime way to ensure your blood pressure remains at healthy levels.
You’ll remove waste from the body
If you’re looking to give your kidneys an extra boost, make sure you’re frequently sipping on a glass of water. The main toxin in the human body is blood urea nitrogen (BUN), a water-soluble waste that passes through the kidneys and is excreted as urine. The more water you drink, the more toxins you’ll flush.
You may suffer brain dysfunction
Your brain is vitally important – with your diet and water intake affecting how it functions. While you don’t want to be dehydrated, you also don’t want to overhydrate your body. If you do, your brain will struggle to work as it should, resulting in headaches, confusion, and even memory loss.
You might have leakage
Drinking heap loads of water can irritate the bladder and increase the risk of urine leakage. If your bladder is weak, it’s wise to merely sip your water, minimizing your risk of any embarrassing bathroom-related woes. Seek medical advice if leakage is a frequent occurrence.
You may notice discoloration
Pay attention to your hands, your feet, and your lips. If they look as though they’ve changed color, your water intake may be to blame. This is due to the cells in your body swelling, stretching your skin, resulting in the changed color. Cut back on your liquids and see if the symptoms subside.
You might start to feel dizzy
Guzzling down heap loads of water can result in hyponatremia – a condition with an array of side effects. One such symptom is dizziness, leaving you feeling constantly off balance. This is due to your brain increasing in size, with more pressure building up beneath your skull. Drink a tad less, and see if the dizziness goes away.
You’ll drink more, even when you’re not thirsty
Humans are habitual creatures, picking up behaviors and thought patterns through repeated practice. Therefore, if you’re constantly drinking water, you’ll end up drinking more and more H2O as time goes by – even if you aren’t particularly thirsty. Be mindful of your water intake and avoid drinking simply for the sake of it.
Hot water can damage internal linings
While we all love a refreshing cup of tea or coffee, it may not be doing our insides any good. If you drink beverages at scolding temperatures, you run the risk of inducing thermal injury, inflaming your esophagus. Wait for your drink to cool down – your body will thank you for it.
Your sugar intake may increase
Many of us mix water with Kool Aid, bringing more flavor and taste to the beverage. However, be mindful of what, exactly, you’re putting in your body. Squashes and fruit juices are littered with hidden sugars, causing potentially harmful conditions such as diabetes later in life.
In rare cases, it could be fatal
In the most extreme of cases, drinking too much water can kill you. It’s less about how much you drink overall, but more to do with how quickly you consume it. If you drink too much too fast, your body fails to effectively process the liquid, resulting in potentially fatal consequences.