How drinking water when you're thirsty could kill you

Drinking water is crucial for remaining alive: after all, around 70% of our bodies are made of the stuff.

But some scientists are now claiming that the golden rule for drinking eight glasses of water a day may actually be deadly.

They even go so far as to say that drinking water when you're not thirsty could kill you.

See also: Hidden signs you're not drinking enough water

See also: Surprising facts about the water you're drinking

A study published to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds the body has a natural tendency to make swallowing more difficult when the drinker isn't thirsty.

But if a person ignores those reflexes and drinks too much water, that's when it becomes serious.

Too much water can induce a condition called hyponatremia.

That's when the body's levels of sodium in the blood become abnormally low.

This can cause lethargy, nausea, convulsions, a coma, or even death.

So instead of following a schedule, experts say just do what your body demands. If you're thirsty, drink up!