Study claims Bruce Lee could have died drinking excess water. How do I know I am drinking the right amount in a day?

One litre of water per 15 kg of body weight is the actual requirement. Overdrinking water can dilute sodium, enzymes and other nutrients.

5 min readPuneUpdated: Nov 23, 2022 12:07 PM IST

The daily four-to-six cup rule is for generally healthy people. (File photo: Getty/Thinkstock)

If you have concerns about drinking too much water, considering a study revealed that martial legend Bruce Lee died because of overdrinking and cerebral oedema, then it is time to hit the pause button and examine your body capacity and thirst level. What many people fail to understand is that Bruce Lee also used cannabis, which cause increase in thirst of the intense kind, and is known to have taken the drug throughout the day he died. And as the study said, he died from a kidney dysfunction, where he was unable to excrete enough water to maintain water balance. That condition doesn’t happen to a lot of us. So what should we watch out for healthy kidney functioning?

How much water should you drink a day?

The daily four-to-six cup rule is for generally healthy people. You have to regulate water intake only when you suffer from certain health conditions like thyroid disease or kidney, liver, or heart problems. You have to be vigilant if you’re taking medications that make you retain water, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opiate pain medication and some anti-depressants.

According to Dr S M Ambike, chief nephrologist at Jehangir Hospital, Pune, “One litre of water per 15 kg of body weight is the actual water requirement of the body. What overdrinking water above the optimal limit does is dilute sodium, enzymes and other nutrients. Hyponatremia, or when the sodium concentration in your blood is abysmally low, is a definite risk if someone drinks plain water instead of electrolyte-added solutions. That is the reason why we see players on the cricket ground or long distance-runners drink lime juice that has a bit of salt in it or an ORS solution. They get dehydrated very fast. Which is why they take sodium-infused water to prevent the body from crashing,” he said.

The nephrologist suggested that plain water, around two litres, along with fluids should be okay.
“To fulfil the water requirement of the body, it is essential to consume 50 per cent plain water and 50 per cent in the form of other water sources like fruits, milk, vegetables and so on, which also complete the electrolyte level in the body. Consuming too much water can dilute existing sodium and potassium from the body, which is known as dilutional hyponatremia,” he added.

Excess water, Dr Ambike felt, can lead to complications in a person with a weak heart and kidneys.

How much water a day should you drink if you fit into that category? “There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Water intake must be individualised, and you should check with your doctor if you are not sure about the right amount for you.”

But, according to Harvard Medical School findings earlier this year, “Even a healthy person’s water needs will vary, especially if you’re losing water through sweat because you’re exercising, or because you’re outside on a hot day. If you’re wondering how much water you should drink on those occasions, speak with your doctor, but a general rule of thumb for healthy people is to drink two to three cups of water per hour, or more if you’re sweating heavily.”

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What are the ways I can hydrate myself?

As doctors at Harvard have said, “All beverages containing water contribute toward your daily needs. And it’s a myth that caffeinated beverages or those containing alcohol are dehydrating because they make you urinate. They do, but over the course of the day, the water from these beverages still leads to a net positive contribution to total fluid consumption. Of course, there are many reasons why water is still the better choice. Remember, sugary drinks can lead to weight gain and inflammation, which can increase your risk for developing diseases such as diabetes. Too much caffeine can give you the jitters or keep you from sleeping. And, alcohol intake should be limited to one drink per day for women, and 1-2 drinks per day for men.”

How do I know if I’m drinking enough?

“Your fluid intake is adequate if you do not feel thirsty. If feeling overly thirsty, then get yourself checked for a health condition. A light yellow or straw coloured urine is an indicator that all is well, a transparent, colourless urine means that you have had too much dilution,” said Dr Tarun Jeloka, chief nephrologist at Manipal Hospital, Pune. For a normal individual, water intake above 1.5 litres is reasonable but they have to compensate for losses, especially during hot weather or strenuous exercise. Some individuals are habitual drinkers and may top over three litres, which beyond a limit is unnecessary. “In general, this is not harmful as long as their kidneys are healthy. Diseased kidneys may not be able to filter all water in which case it may accumulate in the body as edema and may sometimes go into the lungs or brain,” Dr Jeloka observed.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Awards and Recognition Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions. ... Read More

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