Like Colleen said, the problem is at the cellular and molecular level. There are many systems in our body that can only function in a narrow range. Electrolyte balance is one of them. Diluting the electrolytes in your system can increase the osmotic pressure in cells to the point where they die; brain and nerve cells are particularly susceptible to this damage. While there are cases where people die of water intoxication/poisoning from drinking on a lark the biggest danger is that of endurance athletes. For many years athletes have been told to pre-hydrate, during the event to drink before they are thirsty, and then drink like mad after the event. The combination of heavy electrolyte loss from hours of exercise and drinking large quantities of water can lead to electrolyte imbalance. For years athletes knew the dangers of dehydration but few knew that overhydration was even more dangerous. Replacing fluids with a combination of water and electrolyte replacement drinks is the best approach for amateurs though the most elite endurance athletes like Tour de France cyclists receive electrolyte solution IVs every day of competition to help maintain both hydration and electrolyte balance.
I'm pretty sure she wasn't aloud to pee though. like, that was the contest. Water detoxes your system and you need it to survive but if you drink too much (and I mean a lot more than a couple glasses), too fast and then you don't let your body get rid of the access, then yeah, your electrolyte lights can flood. But if you pee regularly and sip on it all day instead of gosling it all at once, then your odds are pretty slim.
Yes, there is such a thing as water poisoning. I remember a story once where a woman entered a competition where she was in to win a prize of a WII or something like that, and her body couldn't take the excess water that she was taking. She ended up passing away.
She wasn't. It was against other people who pretty much had to sit down and drink glasses and glasses of water until they reached the competitions required limit to win. I guess she drank enough for her electrolytes to flood.
What? Your stomach doesn't "explode". Drinking too much water can cause water intoxication which forces important electrolytes to become diluted to the point where your brain can no longer compensate for it.
girl its not just water , you stomach might explode if you ate more than your capacity ! its either your gonna puke all or have HOSPITAL visit :D ...
i didn't mean EXPLODE as in BOOM , i ment your stomach won't take that much of water liters ... and impressive comment i like :)
If you drink too much you could drown yourself, but thats only if you drink like non stop all day.
Water weight is dangerous, alright. But it wouldnt be a cause of death.<3
