If you drink more water than your kidneys can remove (approximately one litre an hour), the concentration of sodium and other electrolytes in your blood begins to drop. Beyond a certain point, your cells will uncontrollably absorb water by osmosis and swell up. In the brain this increases the pressure against your skull, which leads to headache, confusion, vomiting and (ironically) thirst. If it isn’t treated promptly, this progresses to seizures, brain damage and death.
Experts believe that the vast majority of people meet their daily water needs by simply letting their thirst tell them when to drink. If you're chugging water even when you're not thirsty, you could be drinking more than your body needs.
Overhydration is dangerous because it can lead to an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium help regulate everything from your kidneys to your heart function. If you consume too much water, there may not be enough of these electrolytes in your blood to keep your body working properly.
Though it's important to increase your water intake if you're engaging in strenuous physical activity or outside in hot weather, allow your natural thirst to be your guide in most situations.
You might know that dark-colored urine can be a sign of dehydration, but that doesn't mean that you should aim to produce urine that's completely clear.
According to Healthline, pale yellow urine that looks like lemonade indicates a healthy level of hydration. Colorless urine, on the other hand, might mean that you are overhydrated and need to reduce your water intake.
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