How much water should you drink for healthy kidneys?

Dr. Joan J. Morales Lappot, MD
3 min read · Leer en español

In brief"How much water should I drink?" may be the question I hear most. The honest answer is that it depends, and more is not always better.

A practical starting point

For most healthy adults, drinking to thirst and keeping your urine pale yellow works well. That often means around 6 to 8 cups a day, more in South Florida heat or when you exercise. Food, coffee and tea count toward your fluids too.

Who may need more

• People who have had kidney stones, who often aim for about 10 cups of urine a day
• People who work outdoors or sweat heavily
• During a stomach illness with vomiting or diarrhea

Who may need less

• People with heart failure or advanced kidney disease who are told to limit fluids
• People on dialysis, who usually have a daily fluid limit
• People with low blood sodium, where extra water can make it worse

Myths

Drinking huge amounts of water does not "flush out" kidney disease or improve a low eGFR. In some people it only lowers sodium. Your kidneys do the cleaning; your job is to give them enough to work with, not to overwhelm them.