What is the concern with gulping massive quantities of plain water too quickly when severely dehydrated?
Answer
It can dilute the blood too rapidly, causing a temporary imbalance that the body must correct.
While drinking water is the primary response to thirst, the speed and volume of intake matter greatly for responsible rehydration. Gulping down extremely large volumes of plain water very quickly, especially when significantly dehydrated, risks diluting the blood too suddenly. This rapid shift in concentration can create a temporary, undesirable physiological imbalance as the body scrambles to cope with the sudden influx of water relative to solutes. Therefore, sipping moderate amounts consistently over a short period is generally considered a more effective and safer approach than rapid chugging.
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