Tale as old as time – drinking water is essential to maintain overall health, especially your kidneys. The main function of your kidneys is to remove wastes and excess fluid from your body, which makes it extremely important for someone to take care of their kidneys. However, one needs to know how much water intake is enough to keep their kidneys in good shape. Yes, the recommended amount is 8-10 glasses, but is that enough for your kidneys? Or is it too much? Let’s understand the role of water intake in renal health this World Kidney Day.

Healthshots got in touch with Dr Mohit Khirbat, Consultant, Nephrology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, Haryana to help you understand the connection between hydration and kidney health.

What is the link between drinking water and kidney health?

Since kidneys help remove waste and excess fluid from the body, it becomes extremely important to stay hydrated to take care of your kidneys. The most important thing we can do to keep our kidneys healthy is to drink enough water. Drinking a good amount of water not only helps in maintaining kidney health but contributes to your overall health, says Dr Khirbat.

The connection between hydration and kidney health has been bolstered by several studies as well. A study published in the journal The Lancet found that increased water intake can help prevent kidney stones. Another study published in the journal Obesity Facts found a strong association between water and how it reduces the likelihood of developing kidney stones. Drinking water can also help reduce the risk of developing chronic kidney diseases and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Also Read: Summer can affect your kidneys! Tips to maintain renal health and keep diseases at bay

How much water should one drink to keep kidney diseases at bay?

While drinking water aid hydration and helps your kidneys perform better by removing the waste out of your system, too much of it can take a toll on your kidney health. “Generally, one should take 2 to 3 litres of water a day. But this requirement may increase in case the weather is hot and if someone is dehydrated. So, drinking less water can put you at risk of dehydration and developing acute kidney injury.” explains Dr Khirbat.

He elucidates further that the risk of acute diarrhoea increases during summer and is very important that the food and water we consume are from a clean and hygienic source. Athletes and marathon runners need to be more careful during summer as the risk of dehydration is more, which can take a toll on your kidneys.

Also Read: Common signs of dehydration that you need to watch out for 

In case of dehydration due to exposure to heat or due to gastroenteritis, it is important that you seek medical help early before the kidneys get affected. Dr Khirbat also shares that if we drink enough water during summer as well as during any situation where there is acute water loss such as acute gastroenteritis, there is a good chance that we will recover faster and our kidneys will remain healthy.