How to Drink Water Wisely

Too little water dehydrates you, but too much can be dangerous.

jazz3311/Shutterstock

A secondary school student in Taiwan participated in a water-drinking competition and guzzled 6,000 milliliters of water in just 30 minutes. Upon returning home, he suffered dizziness, vomiting, and convulsions and was rushed to the hospital, where he nearly lost his life. This is a classic case of “acute water intoxication”—also called water poisoning—which happens when drinking too much water dilutes sodium levels in the blood, disrupting brain and body function.

Although water is the source of life, more or less is not always better.

TCM Perspective on Water Metabolism

Many people eagerly guzzle water in the summer, without realizing that their kidneys—which play a central role in water metabolism—have limits and might not be able to cope. Water retention can lead to swollen hands and feet, frequent urination, and insomnia, which can impair sleep quality and worsen energy levels.