Does drinking water make you urinate more? Does this mean your kidneys are good or not? The truth is here
- CosDream News

- Apr 22, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 14, 2024
In daily life, we often encounter situations where we frequently run to the toilet shortly after drinking water. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Is there something wrong with our kidneys?
Today, let's talk about this seemingly simple yet complex topic and uncover the truth behind the saying "one drink of water, one urinates more".
1、 The Journey of Water: Human Absorption and Distribution
When we drink a glass of water, this water does not directly rush towards the kidneys. In fact, the travel of these fluids within the body is quite complex. Firstly, within a short minute of drinking water, water quickly enters the blood vessels and brain.
The water here is mainly transported through the bloodstream, providing sufficient oxygen and nutrients to the brain and maintaining its normal operation.
Subsequently, water will reach the skin in approximately 10 minutes, helping to regulate body temperature and maintain skin elasticity. It takes about 20 minutes for water to reach organs such as the kidneys, heart, and liver.
How is water distributed during this process? Water is transported to various parts of the body through the blood, and each organ absorbs the necessary water according to its own needs, while the remaining water is sent to the kidneys.
In the kidneys, this excess water is filtered to form urine, which is ultimately excreted through the urethra. Therefore, this function of the kidneys is an important link in maintaining water balance in the body.
2、 Drinking water and urine output: indicators of kidney function
Under normal circumstances, the daily urine output of adults is approximately between 1000 and 2000 milliliters, which is related to various factors such as individual dietary habits, activity levels, and climate. So, does an increase in urine output after drinking water mean that there is a problem with kidney function?
In fact, a healthy kidney can adjust the amount of urine produced based on the amount of water in the body. When we drink a lot of water, the water in our body increases, and the kidneys excrete excess water by increasing the amount of urine, maintaining a balance of water and electrolytes in the body. This is a normal physiological response. Therefore, if you want to go to the restroom shortly after drinking water, this is usually a sign of healthy and normal kidney function.
However, if you find yourself urinating frequently even without drinking water, or having abnormally high urine output, then you need to be careful. Excessive urine volume may be a sign of diabetes, diabetes insipidus and other diseases. At this time, it is best to consult a doctor for further examination.
3、 The rate of water conversion in the body: a signal of health?
Exploring the duration of water intake and excretion and its impact on health is a complex physiological process. The efficiency of the human body in absorbing and utilizing water reflects the health status of multiple physiological systems, especially kidney function.
Under normal circumstances, the process from drinking water to urine formation takes approximately 6 to 8 minutes to 120 minutes. This time span reflects the filtration rate of water through the glomeruli, which is the main way for the kidneys to process fluids in the body.
The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is an important indicator for evaluating kidney health. A healthy adult's GFR typically remains within a certain range, indicating normal renal filtration capacity.
If the rate of water conversion into urine is significantly accelerated or slowed, it may indicate the existence of renal dysfunction or other related diseases, such as kidney damage caused by hypertension or diabetes.
For example, in a state of high blood sugar, the body may eliminate excess sugar by increasing urine output, which is medically known as osmotic diuresis.
In addition, some medications such as diuretics can also affect the rate of water conversion, controlling blood pressure or reducing heart burden by promoting urine production. Therefore, when evaluating an individual's water conversion rate, it is necessary to comprehensively consider factors such as their health status, history of drug use, and lifestyle.
4、 Night hydration: a double-edged sword for health
Drinking water before bedtime is a habit for many people, but is this habit good or bad for health? Nighttime hydration has certain benefits for the body, such as preventing blood from becoming too viscous at night, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. Research has shown that consuming an appropriate amount of water at night (such as 200 milliliters) can effectively reduce the viscosity of blood and help prevent heart disease and stroke.
However, excessive drinking water at night can also cause some health problems. For example, it may cause frequent waking up and urination at night, which can interfere with sleep quality and may lead to sleep disorders in the long run. In addition, for those who suffer from heart disease or renal insufficiency, drinking a large amount of water at night may increase the burden on the heart and kidneys, exacerbating the work pressure on these organs.
Therefore, a reasonable arrangement of nighttime drinking water is crucial for maintaining health. The recommended practice is to drink moderate amounts of water while ensuring that it does not affect sleep quality. For individuals with special health conditions, it is best to adjust their nighttime water intake under the guidance of a doctor.
5、 First cup of water in the morning: activating bodily functions
As the saying goes, "The plan of the day lies in the morning," and the first cup of water in the morning is the key to activating the body's functions for the new day. Drinking water in the morning can quickly replenish the water consumed in the body at night, activating the operation of various systems in the body.
Medical research has shown that drinking water on an empty stomach helps to clean the internal organs, promote blood circulation, and accelerate metabolism, thereby optimizing the function of the liver and kidneys.
From a physiological perspective, drinking water in the morning can promote gastric juice secretion, helping the digestive system prepare and adapt to dietary inputs throughout the day.
In addition, an appropriate amount of water can help the kidneys quickly activate, restore their blood filtering function, and effectively remove accumulated metabolic waste in the body.
Especially for kidney health, the first glass of water in the morning can not only reduce the risk of stones, but also help regulate blood pressure and stabilize heart rate.
6、 The golden rule of correct hydration
Although drinking water is good, the correct way to replenish water can maximize the efficiency of water utilization, truly meeting physiological needs without excessive burden on the body. Here are some golden rules for scientific hydration:
1. Uniform distribution: The daily water intake should not be concentrated on a single meal or time period, but should be evenly distributed throughout the entire schedule. This can avoid the pressure of the body dealing with a large amount of water at once, allowing the kidneys to absorb and discharge water more effectively.
2. According to individual needs: Each person's physical condition and daily activity level are different, so the amount of water needed is also not the same. It is usually recommended that adults drink 2000 to 3000 milliliters of water per day, but this number needs to be adjusted appropriately based on individual health status, activity intensity, and climate conditions.
3. Avoid cold drinks: Drinking too cold water may irritate the stomach and cause discomfort, especially after high body temperature or physical activity. The appropriate drinking water temperature should be close to body temperature, so that it can be quickly absorbed by the body and avoid impact on the digestive system.
4. The best way to hydrate between meals is to drink water 30 minutes to 1 hour after meals, which can help food digest and absorb better. At the same time, this is also the best time window to avoid water diluting gastric juice and affecting digestion.
5. Monitor body signals: The body's need for water will be manifested through signals such as thirst. Don't wait until you feel thirsty to drink water, as this usually means the body is already in a mild state of dehydration. Learn to take small sips and drink slowly between activities, and replenish fluids in a timely manner.
summary
From the above discussion, we can see that the correct hydration strategy is not only related to kidney health, but also affects the operational efficiency of the entire body system.
Maintaining a good water balance is one of the cornerstones for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
With the accelerated pace of modern life, learning to scientifically and reasonably replenish water is crucial for improving the quality of life.












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