Doctors have warned that those aiming for “clear” urine are actually doing more harm to their health than good.
UK-based Dr. Sermed Mezher shocked the world this month when he shared a TikTok video about the damage overhydration can do to the body.
“If your urine is clear, it means you’re probably drinking more than 2.5 liters of water per day, which means your kidneys are working overtime to keep that fluid out of your brain,” the doctor said.
“Water intoxication” is the term used to refer to people who are “critically overhydrated,” which often results in hospitalization.
The medical expert said early symptoms of overhydration include headaches, dizziness and drowsiness.
He reminded people on the other end of the spectrum that water intake is crucial, but it’s important not to overdo it.
“Like most things in life, too much is bad, but too little is also bad,” he said.
UK-based Dr. Sermed Mezher shocked the world this month when he shared a TikTok video about the damage overhydration can do to the body.
Dr. Sermed Mezher referred to a urine color chart to make it easier to understand his analysis.
Dr. Mezher said that for the average adult, about two liters a day should meet their hydration needs.
Reactions to the video were mixed, with many surprised that “clear pee” was a bad thing.
“What do you really want from me? To drink water or not?” asked one man.
“My life was ruined the day I found out you shouldn’t pee clear,” another woman chimed in.
Others called the advice “very misleading” and said that by making people afraid of drinking too much water, it would likely lead to further dehydration.
“Wow! Videos like this make it seem like water intoxication is common or easy to get – it’s extremely rare and there’s nothing wrong with clear urine from time to time. Chronic dehydration, on the other hand, is extremely common,” one man said.
This graph illustrates what the color of urine says about what is happening in our bodies.
“You don’t get hospitalised for drinking 2.5 litres a day. Water intoxication happens when you drink a lot more in a very short period of time. Why does this scare people like that?” another agreed.
Dr. Eric Chung spoke to FEMAIL about being aware of the risks of overhydration.
Others argued that daily water needs varied widely from person to person, and that if someone was even “mildly active,” two liters might not be enough.
Dr Erin Chung, Professor of Surgery at the University of Queensland, spoke to FEMAIL about the dangers of drinking too much water.
Dr. Chung explained that moderation is the most important thing to remember when it comes to hydration.
‘This new trend of drinking from giant water bottles ‘It’s great for keeping people hydrated and preventing kidney stones,’ the doctor said.
‘However, everything should be done in moderation to avoid upsetting the body’s internal mechanism that regulates fluid and electrolyte balance.’
According to the medical expert, overhydration can cause “harmful effects” on the body, such as kidney strain, hormonal imbalance and swelling in the extremities.
Dr. Chung advised people who are concerned about the possibility of being overhydrated to always be sure to consult a professional.
“If you feel like you’re drinking too much water (you’re thirsty all the time) or you’re urinating too much, you need to make an appointment with your GP for further tests and referral to specialists,” he said.
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