Why can't we drink salt water?

Why can’t we drink salt water?

They say...

• We get thirsty because the concentration of salt in our body goes up therefore clearly we do not need any more salt

• The salt basically overpowers (absorbs) water and dehydrates our bodies even quicker

Saltwater is a hypertonic fluid which means it contains more salt than human blood does. As a result our bodies cannot cope with the excess salt.

How do we absorb water? A process called osmosis is what regulates salt travelling in our bodies. In normal circumstances the saltiness inside our cells is the same as outside.

When drinking salt water, the saline in our blood increases dramatically which causes blood cells keep release water instead of absorbing it. This is what causes the onset of dehydration.

Drink fresh water only. Do not attempt to get away with swallowing ocean or

sea water without dangerous consequences. Excessive salt intake can destroy kidneys. Without

fresh water internal organs start shutting down. Water

is crucial for human’s survival.