Who needs a doctor when you have a glass of water?

Drinking water proven to have health benefits: ©Soleg - stock.adobe.com

Drinking enough water has long been touted as a cornerstone of good health, but evidence supporting this claim has been limited. A study from researchers at UC San Francisco offers some of the most comprehensive insights yet into the benefits of staying hydrated.

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed 18 randomized controlled trials and found statistically significant benefits of water consumption in several key areas, including kidney stone prevention, weight loss, and managing conditions like migraines, urinary tract infections, and low blood pressure.

“For such a ubiquitous and simple intervention, the evidence hasn’t been clear, and the benefits were not well-established, so we wanted to take a closer look,” said senior author Benjamin Breyer, MD, MAS, chair of the UCSF Department of Urology, in a statement. “To our knowledge, this is the first study assessing the benefits of water consumption on clinical outcomes broadly.”

Kidney stones and weight loss

The study found the strongest evidence for drinking water as a preventative measure against kidney stones and as an aid for weight loss. Drinking eight cups of water a day significantly reduced the likelihood of developing another kidney stone.

For weight loss, adults who consumed about six cups of water daily were able to shed pounds in several studies. However, the results were less conclusive for adolescents, with one study showing no effect from drinking slightly more than eight cups a day.

“Encouraging people to drink water before meals is a simple and inexpensive strategy that could help combat the growing obesity epidemic,” the researchers noted.

Broader health benefits

The study also identified several other health benefits of increased water intake:

• Migraines: Adults with recurrent headaches reported significant improvement after three months of drinking more water.
• Diabetes Management: Drinking an additional four cups of water daily improved blood glucose levels in diabetic patients.
• Urinary Tract Infections: Women with recurrent UTIs who drank six extra cups of water daily had fewer infections and longer intervals between episodes.
• Low Blood Pressure: Increased water intake helped young adults manage symptoms of low blood pressure.

Despite the positive findings, the researchers emphasized that water needs vary. “Dehydration is detrimental, particularly for those with a history of kidney stones or urinary infections,” Breyer said. “On the other hand, someone with frequent urination may benefit from drinking less. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach for water consumption.”