Bruce Lee died drinking too much water causing kidney dysfunction: report

New Delhi: A new study says that Bruce Lee was not killed as various theories suggest but an excessive intake of water sent him to an early grave more than fifty years ago.

The mystery surrounding the death of the larger-than-life martial artist who thrilled fans in Hollywood films remains largely inscrutable.

Some early theories said the Lee died in Hong Kong following epilepsy seizure, heatstroke, and cocaine use and while some said he was killed by gangsters, which still holds ground among his fans.

Now a study links the martial artist's death at the age of 32 to a specific kidney dysfunction of not excreting excess water.

Bruce Lee, known for his stunning fighting skills and special one-inch brutal punch, may have died of cerebral oedema from hyponatraemia.

Kidneys' inability to excrete excess water causes hyponatraemia, cerebral oedema leading to death within hours if excess water intake is not matched by water excretion in urine, according to paper published in the Clinical Kidney Journal.

After analyzing the publicly available information, researchers at the Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, IIS-Fundacion Jimenez Diaz UAM in Madrid brush aside all unfounded theories surrounding the movie star's death.

Born in 1940 Bruce Lee emerged as a trend-setter martial artist on American television at the age of 26 before becoming a successful actor. He arrived in the US from Hong Kong at age of 16 before returning at the age of 29 to write, direct and act in movies.

He died very young when fans all over the world were beginning to consider him larger-than-life martial artist, leading to the rise of many theories after his death.

Now researchers found that Lee had consumed marijuana on the day of his death on July 20 , 1973before driving to the meet people associated with movie production.

Lee experienced a headache and dizziness around 7:30 pm, after drinking water and then went into the bedroom to rest where he was found unconscious at 9:30 pm.

A doctor was called in who tried to unsuccessfully revive him and later Lee was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead.

Now researchers say that after Lee suffered cerebral oedema his brain weight rose to 1575 g compared with the normal 1400 gm.

Lee had experienced oedema two months previously in May 1973 reporting symptoms including headache, disorientation, inability to walk and losing consciousness, according to the study.