Question:
Is drinking too much water bad for your kidneys (due to overworking them)?
Answer:
There is no upper limit set for fluids as a healthy kidney has considerable ability handle excess water and maintain fluid balance in the body efficiently. Thus, water intake greater than the amount as per recommended is not going to jeopardise your kidney function. However, to date, there is no strong evidence to conclude whether extra water intake is beneficial on health.
On the other hand, there is no ‘one size fit all’ recommendation when come into individual water requirement. The amount of water that your body needs vary by individual. It depends on your body size, activity level, environment and physiological condition. Generally, you are recommended to drink 8 glasses of water a day or are encouraged to drink before you get thirsty in order to prevent dehydration.
Lastly, your body may tend to retain water unnecessarily if you have a compromised kidney function. Please check with your healthcare professional to determine your health status and how much water you should drink to prevent complication when you are experiencing this health issue.
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