Is it really true that drinking water prevents kidney stones?
Creating dilute urine will reduce the concentration of lithogenic substances and thus the driving force for crystallization.
A prospective randomized trial proved the effectiveness of high fluid intake; the urine volume in the treated group averaged 2.5 L/day, providing a reasonable goal for patients with nephrolithiasis.
Generally it is better to prescribe a specified urine flow rather than an absolute amount of fluid intake because patients’ fluid needs vary.
Although physicians usually recommend water as the preferred fluid, other beverages seem to provide equal benefit.
