5 liters of water a day is on the higher side. And although water is important for your health, you want to take only what your body requires.
Doctors recommend adults to drink 64 ounces of water daily (eight 8-0z glasses or 64 ounces) to stay hydrated. This can, however, change due to factors like age, sex, exercise, climate, and diet, among others.
Avoid drinking excess water, as it can lead to water intoxication or hyponatremia, which can be life-threatening.
How Much Water is Too Much in an Hour?
It is important not to overwork your kidneys. Do not drink more fluid than they can eliminate.
A 2013 study revealed that the kidneys can only eliminate 20 to 28 liters of water daily. Hourly, they can remove not more than 0.8 – 1.0 liters.
The authors of this study report that a person can develop hyponatremia symptoms if they drink 3 to 4 liters in a short period.
How Much Water is Too Much?
Overhydration happens when one drinks more than their kidneys can remove. There is actually no set amount since this varies from person to person.
While 4 liters a day could be enough for you, they could be too much for another.
That is where there are several reports of individuals who took different amounts of water but developed water intoxication.
For instance, one report showed prolonged hyponatremia in a healthy 22-year-old soldier after drinking 6 liters of water in 3 hours.
In another report, a 9-year-old girl suffered from water intoxication after drinking 3.6 liters in 2 hours.
How Much Water Do You Require Per Day?
There are no official guidelines on how much water one needs to drink in a day.
The right amount differs from one individual to another depending on factors such as climate, body weight, level of physical activity, diet, and whether they are breastfeeding.
Some people still follow the 8 x 8 rule, which recommends that adults drink 8 eight-oz glasses of water daily.
Additionally, the National Academy of Medicine recommends men to take 3.7 liters of water daily and women 2.7 liters.
To estimate the right amount, consider your weight. You should drink half your body weight in ounces. For instance, if your weight is 140 pounds, try to drink at least 70 ounces of water.
If you still cannot estimate the amount of water your body requires daily to stay hydrated, seek professional help from your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you drink too much water?
Too much water can also affect your brain and cause central nervous system dysfunction. In severe cases, it can become fatal.
How many times should I urinate if I drink 5 liters of water?
Therefore, if you drink 5 liters of water, you will visit the restroom about 15 times in 24 hours.
Can I lose weight if I drink 5 liters of water daily?
Drinking too much water doesn’t guarantee better results; you can instead get exposed to water intoxication and hyponatremia.
Is it okay for a man to drink 5 liters of water per day?
The National Academy for medicine recommends men to drink 3.7 liters of water per day. Drink more than this, and you might get exposed to water intoxication.
Why should you drink water?
Taking enough water also helps energize muscles, maintain normal bowel function, improve brain function, and prevent kidney stones.