Study Suggests a Protective Effect of Plain Water Intake on the Kidneys.

The prevalence of stage 3 CKD was highest among those with the lowest water intake in a cross-sectional analysis of a representative sample of the US population. The link between daily water intake and CKD was only significant for low vs. high intake of plain water (with individuals with a low intake being 2.36-times more likely to have CKD), but not for intake of beverages other than plain water. No association was evident between low water intake and cardiovascular disease. The American Journal of Nephrology analysis included 3427 adults who participated in the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.