Claims that Marvel star Chris Pratt drank an extreme amount of water every day while filming have alarmed experts.
Vanity Fair last week shared an insight into the intense fitness and nutrition regimen the 44-year-old employed while playing the role of Star-Lord in the 2014 Hollywood blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy.
It originally claimed that his nutritionist asked Pratt to drink one glass of water for every pound he weighed.
Although his exact weight at the time of filming was not stated in the piece criticized, it is believed that Pratt – who also starred in the Jurassic Park remakes – weighed between 100 and 109kg.
Experts calculated this would be the equivalent of 15 US gallons per day, or almost 57 litres, and labeled the claim ‘really very dangerous’.
Vanity Fair last week shared insight into the intense fitness and nutrition regimen the 44-year-old employed while playing the role of Star-Lord in the Hollywood blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy. Pictured: Chris Pratt in June
It originally claimed that his nutritionist asked Pratt to drink one glass of water for every pound he weighed. Although his exact weight was not stated at the time of filming, it is believed that he weighed around 110 kg. The American magazine later amended the piece to say that Pratt was advised to consume one ounce of water per pound of body weight
Drinking two liters of water a day – about eight cups – is essential for keeping the body hydrated (left). But running through this amount quickly could be fatal, experts warn. Health officials recommend no more than 1.4 liters per hour, about six cups (right)
Health officials recommend that people drink about six to eight cups of fluid per day.
Otherwise, it can cause hyponatremia, a medical emergency that can shut down the body.
In the original article, an excerpt from the upcoming book “MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios” that explores the rise of the production company, Vanity Fair said Marvel introduced Pratt to nutritionist Philip Goglia.
He advised Pratt to increase his calorie intake to 4,000 per day, plus one glass of water for every pound the actor weighed.
“I was peeing all day, every day,” Pratt said. “That part was a nightmare.”
The American magazine later amended the piece to say that Pratt was advised to consume one ounce of water per pound of body weight.
The Washingtonpostwho noted Vanity Fair’s correction, wrote that this would still amount to 1.9 gallons or 7.2 liters.
Dr. Ryan Marino, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio and medical director of toxicology at the University Hospitals, called the claim “really, really dangerous” and warned that it could lead to “water intoxication.”
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: “Hello! Poison doctor here! This is not possible and is literally how you get water intoxication, which is really, really dangerous because it’s really, really bad.
“He definitely didn’t do this, and you shouldn’t do it either!”
Dr. Marino later told the Washington Post that the amended ounce claim was “more credible” but still “highly risky.”
Meanwhile, regarding the original claim, dietitian Jamie Nadeau told The Messenger: ‘I’m sure it’s a mistake as anyone who drank that amount of water would not be alive or at least in hospital included.
‘One glass of water per kilo of body weight would be extremely dangerous, regardless of your activity level, because that amount of water would be toxic.’
Also known as water intoxication, hyponatremia occurs when sodium levels in the blood fall to abnormally low levels.
Sodium is essential for regulating the amount of water in the body and controlling blood pressure, nerves and muscles.
When the electrolyte concentration is out of balance, extra water causes the body’s cells to swell and swell.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, this is most dangerous when it happens in the brain, where the organ cannot swell because the skull is in the way.
As a result, it can lead to seizures or coma, which can be fatal.
In his Vanity Fair article, Marvel introduced Pratt to nutritionist Philip Goglia, who increased Pratt’s calorie intake to 4,000 per day, plus one glass of water for every pound the actor weighed. “I was peeing all day, every day,” Pratt said. “That part was a nightmare.” Pictured: Chris Pratt in Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014
The American magazine later amended the piece to say that Pratt was advised to consume one ounce of water per pound of body weight. This still amounts to 1.4 UK gallons, or 6.5 litres. Pictured: Chris Pratt in Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014
However, symptoms are usually less severe and include vomiting, headache, confusion, fatigue, low blood pressure, muscle weakness and seizures.
Hyponatremia occurs when sodium levels in the blood – which are usually between 135 and 145 milliequivalents/liter (mEq/L) – fall below 135 mEq/L.
While it is a possible consequence of drinking too much water, it can also be caused by kidney failure, heart failure and some medications.
Some cases can be treated in hospital through an IV with sodium solution or medication.
But the mortality rate among those admitted is around 25 percent, studies suggest.
Fatalities and hospital admissions have been reported after people drank seven to eight liters of water a day – compared to the recommendation of around two liters.
In July, Indiana mother-of-two Ashley Summers died after drinking two liters of water in just 20 minutes.
The 35-year-old, feeling dehydrated and wanting to quench her thirst, collapsed and never regained consciousness.
Instead, led by the NHS people should aim to drink 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid per day.
Water, low-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count.
Most people should aim to drink enough fluids during the day so that their pee is a clear light yellow color, the health department says.
In the US, bosses at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommend drinking no more than 1.4 liters per hour, about six cups.
Research published by Japanese scientists last year in the journal Science Last year it also concluded that such a standard guideline for the number of drinks people should drink per day is ‘not supported by objective evidence’.