In Mary Roach's book "Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War," she illustrates a critical survival challenge in desperate situations, such as being stranded in the desert. The act of drinking urine in such conditions is counterproductive. Instead of providing hydration, the high concentration of proteins and salts in urine forces the body to draw fluid from its own tissues, worsening the state of dehydration.
This vivid example emphasizes the...