We’ve all heard the advice to drink plenty of water every day, but how much does it really help?
Researchers at UC San Francisco recently studied the effects of water on various health conditions and found solid evidence that staying hydrated can make a big difference for some people.
Their findings, published in JAMA Network Open, suggest water can help with weight loss, prevent kidney stones, and reduce problems like migraines, urinary tract infections, and low blood pressure.
The researchers, led by Dr. Benjamin Breyer, reviewed 18 high-quality studies to assess the health benefits of drinking water.
“For such a simple habit, the benefits weren’t well-established, so we wanted to take a closer look,” Breyer explained.
The results showed the strongest benefits in preventing kidney stones and aiding weight loss.
- Kidney Stones: Drinking at least eight cups of water a day significantly reduced the chances of forming kidney stones again in people who had experienced them before.
- Weight Loss: Adults who drank about six cups of water daily lost weight in several studies. However, in one study involving teenagers, drinking eight cups didn’t seem to help with weight loss.
Encouraging people to drink water before meals could be a simple and affordable way to tackle obesity, given how widespread the issue has become.
The research also found that drinking more water may help with several other conditions:
- Migraines: Adults with frequent headaches felt better after three months of drinking more water daily.
- Diabetes: Drinking four extra cups of water daily helped people with high blood sugar levels manage their condition better.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Women with recurrent UTIs experienced fewer infections and longer gaps between them by drinking an additional six cups of water daily.
- Low Blood Pressure: Young adults with low blood pressure improved by drinking more water.
No one-size-fits-all solution
Dr. Breyer emphasized that hydration needs vary from person to person. “Dehydration is harmful, especially for people prone to kidney stones or urinary infections,” he said. “But someone who urinates frequently might need to drink less water.”
While the traditional recommendation is eight cups a day, individual needs depend on health conditions, activity levels, and other factors.
However, this study highlights the many ways drinking water can support better health in everyday life.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about how Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease.
For more health information, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.
