Martial arts icon, Bruce Lee whose death remained a mystery 49 years later, may have died from drinking too much water. New study suggests that Lee, who died in Hong Kong at the age of 32, was thought to have died from a reaction to a painkiller he had taken resulting in brain swelling (oedema). Now, researchers have found a plausible cause of death to be the star’s ‘kidney’s inability to excrete excess water’.
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Death by water
Since his mysterious death in 1973, many were the theories that speculating about the cause of death include allegations that he may have been assassinated by Chinese gangsters. There’s new evidence to suggest that the brain swelling which killed him may have been a result of hyponatraemia – low sodium content in the body. A team of researchers from Spain wrote in the Clinical Kidney Journal:
We hypothesize that Bruce Lee died from a specific form of kidney dysfunction: the inability to excrete enough water …This may lead to hyponatraemia, cerebral oedema and death within hours if excess water intake is not matched by water excretion in urine, which is in line with the timeline of Lee's demise.
‘Be water my friend’
Basing their findings on public documents, books and other clinical research, the kidney specialists stated that several factors indicate the Enter the Dragon star had been drinking high volumes of water prior to his death. His wife, Linda disclosed that he had been on a fluid-based diet including carrot and apple juice.
The fact that he was also a frequent cannabis user, a drug which causes increased thirst – he had reportedly been taking the drug and drinking huge volumes of water throughout the day he died. Other factors that have brought on his early demise include the use of prescription drugs and alcohol.
Ironically, the phrase, ‘Be water my friend’ was a quote made famous by Bruce Lee. However, researchers say consuming water in excess could be fatal.
The fact that we are 60% water does not protect us from the potentially lethal consequences of drinking water at a faster rate than our kidneys can excrete excess water.
Sources used:
Daily Mail: Bruce Lee 'may have died from drinking too much WATER': Doctors believe they have solved mystery brain swelling that caused film star's death at age 32 nearly 50 years ago
Sky News: Bruce Lee may have died from drinking too much water
Variety: Bruce Lee’s Death Caused by Drinking Too Much Water, Researchers Propose in New Study
