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Why Is it Dangerous to Drink Saltwater?

The levels of salt in saltwater, or sea water, are far too high for the body to metabolize. The human kidney can only produce urine that is less salty than water from the ocean. Therefore, because salt naturally dehydrates by absorbing water, if you drink too much saltwater you will become dangerously dehydrated. Drinking saltwater only could lead to death.

  1. Detrimental Effects

    • The more saltwater you drink, the thirstier you will become. If you continue to drink saltwater, the body will become dehydrated and begin to shut down. When dehydration sets in, the body becomes susceptible to comas, seizures and possible brain damage. The excess salt is sent to the kidneys, which will not be able to handle the load and will eventually stop functioning.

    Beneficial Effects

    • Some believe small doses of saltwater are beneficial to one's health. There are some experts in the homeopathic medical community who believe drinking saltwater can help detoxify the body and cleanse the intestines, creating a healing effect on the body. However, there is no scientific proof of these benefits and doctors recommend avoiding any large consumption of sodium.

    Distilling Saltwater

    • There are methods for turning salty seawater into drinking water. Distilling flasks can be purchased at camping stores and used for this purpose. You can also boil saltwater in a large pan and collect the vapors in a glass. The vapors will eventually turn to water and be salt free or nearly salt free.

    Content of Saltwater

    • The most common, abundant saltwater comes from the ocean. Not only is the sodium content high, but seawater also contains high occurrences of microorganisms, including plant life. Also, depending on where the seawater is obtained, the contents may also include common contaminates from pollution such as chlorine, petroleum and even sewage.

    Misconceptions

    • Although salt or sodium is a needed ingredient for many biological organisms, including humans, not all salts are alike. Some believe table salt is very much like the salt found in seawater. It is not. The concentration levels of sodium in seawater are much higher and more dangerous to digest. Salt is a descriptor for many kinds of minerals and compounds, not all of which are healthy for humans.

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