Coconut Water, Eggs, Nuts & Fruits: How Overeating Healthy Foods Can Land You In Hospital
Doctors say it is important to remember the concept of a moderate diet that involves maintaining a balanced intake of food without excessive or restrictive eating
“It’s okay to drink one coconut water every day but this patient was drinking seven to eight coconuts every day, replacing normal water most of the times," Dr Udgeath Dhir, senior director, cardiothoracic vascular surgery (CTVS) at Gurugram-based Fortis Hospital, said.
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Similarly, Dhir came across a patient who was growing paler with every visit. Despite all tests being normal, there was no explanation for his extremely pale skin colour. “Again, I checked the patient’s diet and after asking him multiple times, he told me casually that he was consuming four to five papayas every day. The beta carotene in papaya was collecting on his skin and causing yellow discolouration."
These are just a few examples among hundreds of hospital cases involving healthy individuals who consume extremely high doses of vitamins, herbal supplements or completely natural products like fruits, vegetables, nuts or pure water — only to end up in ICUs with no clear explanation for their sudden health crisis.
It is important to remember the concept of a moderate diet that involves maintaining a balanced intake of food without excessive or restrictive eating. Doctors most frequently mention supplements, protein shakes, tonics, fruits, vegetables, nuts, juices, eggs, and herbal products, which people commonly use and play with.
How Healthy Turns Unhealthy
We all know water is important for hydration and good skin and health. However, experts often encounter patients who misunderstand this concept and consume excess amounts of water, leading to water toxicity and severe hyponatremia.
Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist at Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, shared the story of a middle-aged woman who was told to drink water in the morning to detoxify her body.
“She took the advice seriously and drank about four litres of water in the morning after waking up. Within an hour, she developed headaches and nausea. A few minutes later, she felt confused and disoriented, which was followed by a seizure and loss of consciousness."
The lady was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with hyponatremia (low sodium level in blood) caused by water intoxication.
“The serum sodium level was 110 mmol/L (normal: 135-145). She was admitted to the ICU for the next three days."
Cardiologists generally prescribe a protein-rich diet post-heart bypass surgery to support muscle development. However, at times, some patients take it too seriously and overconsume.
“If prescribed two scoops, people end up taking six. I have seen people consuming 12 to 20 eggs in a day against the prescribed range of four to six eggs in a week. With such excessive consumption, cholesterol levels will rise. In the case of healthy people also, it will lead to the early development of coronary artery disease and mild blockages," Dhir from Fortis said.
Similar to water, doctors find many people munching nuts in excess. While nuts are believed to carry protective cholesterol and other important nutrients, too much consumption leads to an increase in cholesterol levels.
Following the latest trend to cut sugar from food, many people are looking for its replacement. While some have started using jaggery to reduce calorie intake, doctors say people consume it in much higher quantities, thinking that it’s safe to have compared to sugar. However, jaggery or other sweeteners contain higher calories and could have side-effects.
Children Too Affected
Doctors have also observed overly cautious parents taking extreme measures for children, often giving them unregulated Vitamin D, causing toxicity, or seeking high dosages of anti-fever medications.
“We know that too much vitamin D causes high calcium levels which are damaging to the body. We have all seen children with vitamin D toxicity," Dr Maninder Dhaliwal, a specialist of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Amrita Hospitals, Faridabad.
“In another example, I have seen parents rushing to the doctor because their child has a mild fever (99–100°F) and demanding strong antipyretic medicine. In such a case, we need to explain to them that fever is a natural defence mechanism, not a disease. The overuse of strong antipyretic for mild fever is wrong. Mild fever needs monitoring, not immediate suppression."
He added: “We now know that even water can cause harm and lead to ICU admission. Hence, moderation is key. If you are unsure about the right quantity, it’s best to consult your family doctor or a certified dietitian for guidance and a personalised diet plan. Just like a car engine needs the right amount of oil, fuel, and maintenance, the human body functions best when it is not overloaded or under-treated."
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