Benefits and drawbacks of drinking more water

The benefits of drinking more water include boosting metabolism and replenishing minerals and trace elements. The disadvantages may be water intoxication, aggravation of kidney and heart burden when drinking too much water. Water is an essential substance in the body and is important for maintaining normal physiological activities of the body. The Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022) recommends a daily water intake of 1700 ml for adult males and 1500 ml for adult females, which is helpful in speeding up the body’s metabolism. However, if you drink a large amount of water in a short period of time, up to 5~6L, it will cause water intoxication, which will cause headache, mental disorder, ataxia, drowsiness, agitation and other symptoms. For patients with cardiovascular disease, drinking more water may aggravate the burden on the kidneys and heart, making the condition worse. It is recommended to drink a moderate amount of water on a daily basis, not too much in a short period of time to avoid discomfort.