Water is a vital environment in which all biochemical processes of living organisms take place. From the point of view of the kidneys, it plays a key role, as they are the body’s natural filter – they purify the blood, regulate the amount of fluids, electrolytes and remove unnecessary substances through urine. In order for them to perform this function effectively, sufficient fluid intake is necessary. When a person consumes enough water, urine is diluted, which helps to remove salts, toxins and metabolic products and reduces the risk of their accumulation in the body.
What happens in the body when we do not consume enough water?
With insufficient water intake, urine becomes more concentrated, darker and contains higher amounts of salts and waste substances. This increases the risk of kidney stones, urinary tract infections and difficulty clearing metabolic products that need to be removed from the body. When this process continues for a longer period of time, the kidneys begin to work under greater load and cannot optimally maintain the water-electrolyte balance. This can lead to the retention of toxins and a slower elimination of harmful substances from the body. People often feel the first signs of dehydration through common symptoms such as darkening of urine, bad breath and bad taste in the mouth, dry mouth, fatigue, headache and decreased concentration. With a longer lack of fluids, a feeling of weakness, dizziness or more frequent urinary tract infections may also appear. Therefore, regular intake of sufficient water – especially high-quality mineral water – is one of the easiest ways to prevent a number of urological diseases – it helps dilute urine, facilitates the elimination of waste products and reduces the risk of crystal and kidney stone formation. I always advise my patients to maintain optimal fluid intake – about 30 ml per kilogram of body weight – a simple but extremely important formula for the normal function of the urinary system and for our overall health. The easiest way to tell if we are hydrated enough is by the color of our urine – if it is clear or slightly yellow, everything is fine, but if it is intensely colored in straw yellow or orange – this is a sign of insufficient hydration. In such cases, a good tip is to drink at least two or three glasses of water in a short time.
Mineral waters on the market differ in their mineral composition and degree of mineralization. What does this mean and why is it important for kidney health?
Different mineral composition waters on the market have different degrees of mineralization. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that waters with higher mineralization provide more minerals, but are not suitable for daily consumption in large quantities, as they can overload the kidneys and lead to the intake of higher amounts of certain salts. Therefore, such waters are often recommended for short courses or for specific health conditions. In contrast, waters with a more balanced and lower mineral composition are more suitable for daily hydration because they provide the necessary fluids and moderate amounts of minerals without creating an additional burden on the excretory system.
What characteristics should a mineral water have in order to be suitable for daily hydration?
Suitable waters usually contain beneficial minerals such as calcium and magnesium in moderate amounts, have a low sodium content and sufficient hydrocarbonates, which support the acid-base balance in the body. The most important thing is that the water supports good hydration and helps dilute urine, as this reduces the risk of kidney stones and supports the normal function of the excretory system. This is why natural mineral waters with a soft and balanced mineral profile are recommended for daily use.
Which minerals in water are most important for the body and how do they affect the kidneys and the excretory system?
The most important minerals in water for the human body are calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and bicarbonates, as they are involved in maintaining water and electrolyte balance and support normal cell function. Magnesium and bicarbonates are of particular importance – they contribute to the alkalization of urine and can reduce the risk of oxalate kidney stones. Calcium is also an important mineral for bones and metabolism, but it is good to have it in moderate amounts in water when it is consumed daily. Sodium affects fluid retention and blood pressure, so waters with a lower sodium content are more suitable for regular consumption. When the mineral composition is balanced, water not only quenches thirst, but also supports the proper functioning of the kidneys and the natural cleansing of the body through the excretory system.
Does the pH of mineral water matter and how alkaline waters affect the body and the urinary tract?
The pH label of mineral water indicates whether it is more acidic or more alkaline, and this has an impact on the way it affects the acid-base balance in the body. Alkaline mineral waters, which contain more hydrocarbonates and have a higher pH (around 9 – 9.5), help neutralize excess acidity and have a beneficial effect on the digestive and excretory systems. Consuming such waters can contribute to a slight alkalization of urine, which in some people reduces the risk of urate and uric acid kidney stones and helps to clear the urinary tract more easily. In addition, alkaline waters can help to better dissolve some metabolic waste products that the kidneys must remove from the body. This contributes to more efficient filtration and places less strain on the excretory system. However, it is important to take water as part of a balanced daily hydration, because the most important thing for kidney health remains sufficient fluid intake and maintaining well-diluted urine.
How can people navigate the variety of mineral waters on the market – what is the most important thing to look for on the label?
When choosing mineral water, we should first pay attention to the label, which lists the mineral composition and the total mineralization of the water. This shows how much dissolved minerals it contains and whether it is suitable for daily use. For regular intake, it is good to prefer waters with lower to moderate mineralization and a balanced composition – moderate amounts of calcium and magnesium, lower sodium content and the presence of hydrocarbonates. It is also useful to look at the pH of the water, as slightly alkaline waters can help the acid-base balance in the body. From the perspective of my specialty, the most important thing is that water supports good hydration and does not unnecessarily burden the kidneys, because regular intake of appropriate mineral water helps maintain the normal function of the urinary system and reduces the risk of kidney stone formation and urinary tract infections.
Illustrative Photo by Dmytro Kormylets: https://www.pexels.com/photo/grayscale-photo-of-a-woman-near-a-glass-of-water-12633075/
