You’ve probably heard of drinking eight glasses of water a day, but is that really the magic number?
For most healthy adults, the sweet spot is around eleven to fifteen cups of fluids daily. Let’s talk about staying hydrated and why it’s so helpful for your kidneys.
What Counts as a Fluid?
Many people jump to the conclusion that fluids are just plain water. In reality, your body uses all the fluids it can get. This includes liquid from many sources, including:
- Water
- Tea
- Soups
- Juicy fruits and vegetables
If you’re having a hard time getting enough fluids, try focusing on incorporating more fluid-rich foods into your diet. Eating more fruits and vegetables or switching out your sandwich for a bowl of soup can help.
Why Water Works
Proper hydration works wonders for your whole body, but some areas are easier than others to see the benefits. Proper hydration:
- Keeps your kidneys happy (the main filtration system),
- Keeps your brain sharp (better focus and concentration), and
- Keeps your skin glowing.
This helps your kidneys maintain their crucial role as the body’s primary filtration system. When you’re well-hydrated, your kidneys can more effectively filter waste products and toxins from your blood, preventing harmful substances from accumulating. Consuming enough fluids also helps reduce the risk of kidney stones and the overall health of your urinary tract.
Is There Such Thing as Too Much Water?
Drinking too much water can be harmful for specific medical conditions. This can include Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). These conditions make it harder for your body to get rid of excess fluid, which can lead to swelling, high blood pressure, and shortness of breath.
For people with these conditions, doctors often recommend fluid limits, sometimes just four to eight cups a day, depending on your health status. Always follow your care team’s advice.
The Salty Truth
You may have heard that it’s a good idea to reduce your sodium intake. Why is this? The more sodium you consume, the more your body retains water and other fluids. While this may seem like a good thing at first, it actually harms your body in the long run.
As your body works to balance out the amount of sodium in your bloodstream, your organs (including your heart and kidneys) work overtime, potentially leading to heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, and other complications.
High-Sodium Foods to Skip
To reduce the amount of sodium you ingest, it’s important to limit salty foods. Some common ones include:
- Chips
- Canned soups
- Salty takeout
- Processed foods
Instead, choose low-sodium options, like switching canned beans for dry beans (or canned beans with no added salt), or using seasoning blends without salt.
Stay Hydrated, The Right Way
Staying hydrated may seem complicated, but in the end, it’s important to drink enough to stay energized and clear-headed. Incorporating more fluids into your diet and limiting salty foods will also help keep your hydration in harmony.
If you have questions about hydration or kidney concerns, talk to one of our certified nephrologists today. Your health is the most important thing, and we’re here to help.
