Fact Check: Can Drinking Water While Standing Lead To Joint Damage?

An Instagram post claims that Drinking Water While Standing Lead To Joint Damage. This claim is False.

Claim

An Instagram post claims that Drinking Water While Standing Leads to Joint Damage. In the post, user healthis_care says to never drink water while standing, as it leads to joint damage. The user also makes various other claims, like drinking water while standing leads to heart and lung issues. The user also says that drinking water while standing causes kidney damage as it passes without any filtration. The post has 1,138 likes. The post can be accessed here.

Fact Check

This claim made by the user is FALSE. Drinking water while standing does not cause joint damage.

What are Joints?

Joints, the regions where two bones meet, are crucial components of human anatomy, allowing for movement and stability. They can be classified based on connective tissue type (fibrous, cartilaginous, synovial) or by the amount of movement they allow (immovable synarthrosis, slightly movable amphiarthrosis, and freely movable diarthrosis). These two classification systems correlate, with fibrous joints typically being immovable and synovial joints freely movable. Joints develop embryologically from mesenchyme, and their stability is supported by surrounding muscles. Understanding joint structure is essential in diagnosing joint-related pathologies, which are prevalent across all age groups.

What is Joint Damage?

The Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team spoke with Dr. Raju Vaishya, Orthopaedician, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi and he said, "Joint damage happens when the parts of the joint, like the cartilage, ligaments, or bones, start to wear down or get injured. The most common cause is osteoarthritis, which occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the bones wears away over time. Without this cushion, the bones can grind against each other, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. If the damage is severe, the joint might become deformed, making it hard to move without discomfort.

There are other causes of joint damage too. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks the joint lining. Injuries like fractures or torn ligaments can also damage joints, especially if they aren’t treated properly. Everyday wear and tear, carrying extra weight, or even conditions like gout can worsen joint health over time.

Managing joint damage depends on how bad it is and what's causing it. In the early stages, things like physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, like losing weight or staying active, can help a lot. But if the damage becomes too severe, surgery, including joint replacement, might be needed.

The most important thing is to catch joint damage early. Keeping active, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding putting too much stress on your joints can help protect them. If you're experiencing ongoing joint pain, it’s crucial to see a doctor and get to the root of the problem. That way, you can figure out the best approach to keep your joints healthy and pain-free."

Can Drinking Water While Standing Leads To Joint Damage?

There is a myth that drinking water while standing causes joint damage and it originates from traditional or cultural practices that promote proper posture and digestion. As per traditional beliefs, sitting while drinking is thought to be healthier and believed to aid digestion and overall health. However, joint damage typically results from factors like injury, aging, osteoarthritis, or overuse, and there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that drinking water while standing leads to joint damage.

As per scientific evidence, there exists a positive relationship between hydration, coming from drinking water, and bone health. Studies suggest that drinking water, particularly calcium-rich or bicarbonate-rich mineral water, can have a positive impact on bone health.

A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that consuming natural mineral water, particularly bicarbonate-rich mineral water, is effective in enhancing bone health in young rats with metabolic acidosis.

Another study led by Barbara Pampaloni et. al. suggests that drinking water supplied through national water networks may positively influence bone health. Notably, calcium-rich water can provide between one-third to half of the recommended daily calcium intake.

We also found evidence showing a direct relationship between less water in the body and joint pains. Dehydration  is a condition that arises when the body loses excessive amounts of water and essential fluids, disrupting its normal functions and causes joint pain because of the lubricating effect it has on the joints. 

For instance, Articular cartilage, a specialized connective tissue covering the surfaces of bones, plays a crucial role in providing a smooth, lubricated surface for low-friction movement and in transmitting loads to the underlying bone. Composed of about 70% water by weight, the cartilage's stiffness is influenced by its hydration levels. A dynamic mechanical analysis conducted by Joseph P. Crolla et. al. found that dehydration may lead to an increase in stiffness, which may contribute to increased joint stiffness and pain. This highlights the importance of proper hydration in maintaining joint health and minimizing discomfort.

Given this, there is evidence that water may play a crucial role in bone health, yet there is no scientific evidence that drinking water while standing up leads to joint damage 

Dr. Anup Khatri, Senior Consultant- Orthopedics, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel., Mumbai reacted to the claim and he said, "Many people are in a hurry and end up drinking water while standing. Moreover, it is a common practice, and many believe that it can contribute to various health concerns, including joint damage. However, one has to be cautious when it comes to believing in such claims and consult an expert without any delay. There are no studies or evidence available that prove the connection between drinking water while standing causing joint damage. The body’s posture during hydration could affect digestion and nutrient absorption, increasing the stress on the joints and one can experience discomfort. The common causes of joint damage are injuries such as falling, twisting of an ankle, ligament strain, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriatic arthritis, gout, wearing the wrong shoes, smoking and stress. It will be better to sit and drink the water instead of standing which can also facilitate improper swallowing or rapid gulping actions. The symptoms can be pain, stiffness in the joints, fatigue, limited range of motion, swelling, redness and tenderness. So, it will not be correct to associate joint damage with drinking water while standing or create any misconceptions among people. The aim should be to empower everyone with knowledge and not to scare them which ca led to panic-like situation."

Dr. Raju Vaishya, Orthopaedician, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi further added, "Drinking water while standing does not lead to joint damage, contrary to popular myths. This misconception likely arises from traditional beliefs rather than medical facts. Scientifically, there is no direct link between the position in which you drink water and joint health. The health of your joints is influenced by several key factors, including maintaining an active lifestyle, a balanced diet, and staying at a healthy weight. Water plays an essential role in joint health, as it helps maintain the lubrication and cushioning of joints by supporting the production of synovial fluid, which reduces friction and helps prevent joint wear. However, how you drink water—whether standing or sitting—does not change how your body absorbs and utilizes it for joint health. Instead, focusing on staying adequately hydrated throughout the day is more important. To prevent joint issues such as osteoarthritis, it’s recommended to engage in regular exercise, maintain appropriate body weight, and ensure that your diet includes essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D. If you're concerned about joint health, consult your healthcare provider for guidance on lifestyle changes that can make a real difference."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that drinking water while standing can directly lead to joint damage. This claim is largely a myth with no backing from medical research. Joint damage typically results from causes like osteoarthritis, injuries, autoimmune diseases (like rheumatoid arthritis), or wear and tear due to repetitive movements or excess body weight. Join Damage cannot be caused due to drinking water by standing. 

On the other hand, research indicates that drinking water regardless of position, and maintaining good levels of hydration positively affect bone health. 

Thus, the claim made by the user that Drinking Water While Standing Leads To Joint Damage is FALSE.