There’s a limit to everything in life—be it food, drinking or workout. Anything in excess may lead to serious health problems. Many people are not aware of the fact that drinking excess water may cause high blood pressure, which also affects the heart.
In the same way, adding excess fibre to the diet may cause stomach pain, gas, weakness and many other problems. Now-a-days, in order to stay fit, youngsters follow various diets without consulting specialists. However, they are not aware that it may cause serious problems in future. The more common trends are fibre diet, high protein and drinking lots of water daily.
The Ayurvedic department of Sir Gangaram Hospital in a recent study highlighted the ill effects of drinking excessive water. Around 100 patients suffering from repeated urination, gas and acidity problems, high blood pressure, sugar levels and imbalance of electrolytes in the body were asked to limit their water intake for three months. After the end of three months, most of them showed positive results. Dr Parmeshwar Arora, MD Ayurveda at Sir Gangaram Hospital, who conducted the study, said: “The problem of repeated urination was solved, fluctuating blood pressure level was controlled, and sugar levels became normal; the level of sodium, potassium, magnesium and other essential elements also was satisfactory after the patients controlled their water intake for three months.” He said consumption of excess water may affect the kidney, which can also lead to other complications. It may affect the secretion of insulin and raise sugar level in the blood.
Experts say ideally 1.5 to 2 litres of liquid intake per day is enough for a person. It can be the cumulative volume of water, milk, juice, tea, coffee, soup etc. But if someone is exposed to sunlight most of the time, he/she needs to drink at least three litres of water every day.
We are well aware of the benefits of fibre, but excess fibre diet may also cause health issues. Dr Shreekant Sharma, Internal Medicine consultant at Moolchand Hospital, said: “If you suddenly start eating too much fibre, it can cause stomach pain, bloating and gas problem. In worst cases, excess intake of fibre may cause diahorrea.” He says the daily requirement of fibre is between 14 and 30gms. Now-a-days, it has been observed that many youngsters are consuming much more fibre to reduce body weight.
Today, high protein diet has become really popular among youngsters, who aim to build bigger muscles or just for better recovery after strenuous workouts. However, they are not aware of the consequences in the long run. Excess intake of protein diet may increase the body weight. Our body requires 1gm of protein per kg every day. Each gram of protein contains four calories. If a person takes 100gm of protein, and his body has consumed only 50gms, then his body will store extra calories, which may cause extra fat.
“One of the byproducts of protein is nitrogen. If we eat a normal amount of protein, then nitrogen pee out in normal course but excess protein means extra nitrogen, which forces kidneys to work harder to get rid of all the extra nitrogen. This over a period of time, might have the potential to cause kidney damage and kidney failure,” said Dr R S Mishra, Senior Medicine consultant at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket.
Consumption of excess water may affect the kidney, which can also lead to other complications
Dr Parmeshwar Arora,MD Ayurveda,Sir Gangaram Hospital