After nearly half a century following Bruce Lee’s death, a group of Spanish researchers has uncovered the mystery behind the martial arts star’s enigmatic demise.
The researchers concluded that Lee’s death was caused by “hyponatremia, or low sodium in the blood,” due to a high concentration of water in his system and kidney dysfunction preventing proper water elimination.
This research was published in the Clinical Kidney Journal, a medical journal. Interestingly, Lee is famously known for his quote, “Be like water, my friend,” but it seems that excess water ultimately contributed to his death.
Bruce Lee died on July 20, 1973, at the age of 32, just hours after taking aspirin to alleviate a headache. He fell asleep and later became unconscious, eventually passing away.
Numerous theories have been proposed over the years to explain his death, ranging from drug allergies, marijuana and alcohol use, heatstroke, to even the possibility of a biological assassination.
According to the New York Post, at the time of Bruce Lee’s death, doctors believed that brain swelling was caused by the use of painkillers. However, nearly 50 years after the death of the star of Enter the Dragon, research suggests that he likely died from hyponatremia, a condition in which the blood’s sodium levels drop dangerously low due to excessive consumption of water or liquids.
The findings from the researchers differ significantly from the rumors that had circulated about the cause of his death. These included speculations that he was assassinated by criminals, poisoned by a jealous lover, cursed, or that he died from heatstroke.
In their conclusion, the researchers wrote: “We believe Bruce Lee died due to a specific type of kidney dysfunction, which is the inability to eliminate enough water to maintain the body’s water balance.
This is primarily related to the function of the renal tubules. If excessive water intake is not compensated by adequate urinary excretion, this condition can lead to hyponatremia, brain swelling, and death within a few hours, which aligns with the timeline of Lee’s death.
The new research sheds light on a longstanding mystery, providing a scientific explanation for Bruce Lee’s sudden and untimely death. While it resolves some questions, the ongoing intrigue surrounding his life and death continues to captivate fans and researchers alike.
As new studies and theories emerge, it’s likely that the fascination with Bruce Lee’s legacy, both in life and in death, will persist for generations to come.
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