Just drink water when you feel thirsty
A common misconception is that you only drink water when you feel thirsty. However, thirstyness often appears when the body has started to become slightly dehydrated. If this condition recurs frequently, the kidneys may have to work in conditions of insufficient fluid, silently under more pressure.
Kidneys need to be supplied with regular and sufficient water. A simple way to monitor is to observe the color of urine, ideally pale yellow, not too clear but also not dark.
Every drink can replace filtered water
Some people think that coffee, tea or fruit juice can replace filtered water in providing enough water for the body. In fact, these types of drinks containing caffeine or sugar cannot completely replace filtered water but can even cause the body to lose water faster, forcing the kidneys to increase activity to compensate for the deficiency of fluid.
In addition to filtered water, herbal teas such as dandelion tea, tầm ma tea, unsweetened cranberry juice and diluted lemonade are all healthy drinks that can support kidney health.
Drink as much water as possible
Another misconception is that drinking as much water as possible. In fact, excessive water intake can cause electrolyte imbalances, forcing the kidneys to process excess fluid. The consequence is an increased risk of hyponatremia, a condition that can seriously affect the brain and other important organs.
Drinking enough water helps maintain overall health. Just losing 1-2% of body weight due to dehydration can also impair cognition, mood and fitness. In the elderly, dehydration increases the risk of kidney damage, urinary tract infections, falls and delirium. Conversely, drinking too much water in a short time can cause hyponatremia, leading to cerebral edema, convulsions or coma.
