The Best Morning Drink for Better Kidney Health, According to Dietitians
One drink was the clear winner. Here’s why you should start your day with it.
By Lisa Valente, M.S., RD, Published on April 3, 2026, Reviewed by Dietitian, Madeline Peck, RDN, CDN
In This Article…
- Drinking water in the morning is a simple way to support healthy kidneys.
- Prioritizing water in the morning helps dilute waste, support blood flow and maintain hydration.
- Consume more water by pairing it with your morning habits and drinking more tea.
Our diet plays a big role in how our kidneys function. “Your kidneys are responsible for getting rid of the waste from everything you eat and drink. So, it isn’t surprising that nutrition has the potential to be both incredibly helpful or harmful to kidney health,” says Melanie Betz, M.S., RD, CSR. Kidneys are hardworking organs responsible for filtering blood, removing waste and creating urine.
By choosing nutritious foods and beverages, you can help your kidneys function at their best. To start your morning off right, dietitians unanimously agree that water is the best wake-up drink to support healthy kidneys. Read on to learn how water supports your renal system by promoting the filtration process, hydration and blood flow.
1. Dilutes Waste
When you wake up in the morning, it’s likely been hours since you’ve had a sip of water. “Water is the best morning drink for your kidneys because it gives your kidneys what they need to start the day doing their job,” shares Beverly Garden, RD. “After your body goes hours without fluids, drinking water in the morning dilutes waste products so your kidneys can filter more easily,” she adds.
The kidneys are made up of more than a million nephrons, which act as a two-step filter for your blood. The glomerulus filters the blood, and the tubule returns the good stuff back to your blood and removes what your body doesn’t need as waste and water to become urine. Hernandez notes, “Water and fluids are what keep that system running efficiently. When you’re well-hydrated, the kidneys can easily filter waste products and excess vitamins and minerals out of the body by flushing them out through urine,” explains Jen Hernandez, RDN, CSR, LDN.
Diluted urine, which happens when you drink enough water, helps support your kidneys. Having an output of at least 3 liters of urine daily has been linked with better kidney function over time, while less than 1 liter of urine daily is associated with a decline in kidney function.
2. Keeps You Hydrated
Saying water helps keep you hydrated is a little bit like saying water gets you wet, but that doesn’t make drinking it any less important. “When you are dehydrated, your kidneys aren’t filtering as much as they should, which can damage them over time, or if dehydration is severe enough, it can lead to chronic kidney disease,” shares Betz. She adds, “Water is cheap, accessible and is the best way to hydrate for the vast majority of people. We really don’t need fancy electrolyte or hydration powders to help with hydration.”
The kidneys don’t just filter less when you’re dehydrated; they also influence hormones that affect blood pressure. To help counteract dehydration and balance fluids, they release renin, an enzyme that starts a cascade of hormonal shifts from your adrenal glands that encourage your body to retain sodium and water when you’re dehydrated. The activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system can elevate blood pressure and keep your kidneys working overtime.
Continue/Read Original Article: The #1 Morning Drink for Kidney Health
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