A study found drinking too much water may cause loss of kidney function and increase the risk of developing kidney disease.
 
Researchers found individuals who drank more than an average of four liters per day had a condition called proteinuria, or abnormal amounts of protein in the urine. Proteinuria causes progressive loss of kidney function. When the study participants lowered their drinking to less than eight large glasses per day for one week, the kidney abnormality was corrected.
 
Researchers suggest drinking less than six glasses of fluid per day to lower the risk of proteinuria or kidney disease.

This article originally appeared in the February 2008 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Electronic Newsletter.