Drinking seawater, what are the risks?

You're splashing around in the clear waters of a cove this summer when a wave suddenly knocks you down. Don't panic, swallowing a little seawater never hurt anyone.

There are even cures for this water, used in particular for its supposed anti-inflammatory properties. In this case, it is drawn from the open sea and at great depths, filtered and treated in such a way as to eliminate any risk of contamination or pollution. On the other hand, beyond a sip out of curiosity on your favorite beach, avoid drinking seawater regularly. In addition to the microscopic fauna and flora circulating in the waves, you also risk swallowing all sorts of bacteria, including Escherichia Coli, which causes intestinal disorders and other gastroenteritis. Don't forget the presence of microplastics due to human pollution.

The final reason not to drink seawater regularly and in large quantities: dehydration. Indeed, "seawater contains 35g of salt per liter, while our needs are only 9g per day," states the website of Marimer, from Gilbert Laboratories. Therefore, "if we only drink seawater—as happens to shipwrecked people without resources—or too much seawater, our body will eliminate the excess salt and become dehydrated." Of course, there's no reason to do such a thing on dry land. The risk therefore remains minimal.

No, your dog is not (4x7 =) 28 years old