Drinking Water Alone Is Not Enough: Limit Salt and Sugar During Iftar to Protect Kidney Health

One organ that works extra hard during the fasting period is the kidneys. As the body’s primary filtration system, kidneys are responsible for eliminating waste and toxins from the blood. However, without adequate fluid intake during the eating window from iftar to suhoor, the kidneys risk experiencing pressure from dehydration.

Dr Andhika Rachman, a specialist in internal medicine and consultant haematology and oncology from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, explained how straightforward it is to maintain kidney health with discipline. According to him, hydration is the key that cannot be compromised.

“During fasting, maintaining kidney health is actually not difficult. Several important steps that can be taken include drinking enough water from iftar until suhoor, around 6 to 8 glasses so the body does not experience dehydration,” Andhika said on Monday (9 March 2026).

This number of glasses is necessary so that the kidneys remain able to dissolve toxins and excrete them through urine without having to work excessively during a fasting state that lasts more than 12 hours. When the body experiences significant fluid loss, the risk of mineral deposition or kidney tissue damage increases.

Dr Andhika stated that maintaining adequate daily fluid intake even during Ramadan directly helps the kidneys perform their primary function of filtering waste and toxins from the blood. By distributing 6 to 8 glasses of water consumption from the time of iftar, during the night, until suhoor, the workload on the kidneys will be well distributed, so the body avoids chronic dehydration that can disrupt electrolyte balance.

However, maintaining kidney health is considered not to stop at water consumption alone. Eating patterns during iftar and suhoor play a crucial role in determining the future health of our kidneys. He recommends that people begin limiting consumption of overly salty food and avoiding excessive sugar intake. This is well-founded, given that excess sodium can raise blood pressure, whilst excess sugar triggers obesity and diabetes. These two conditions are the primary “gateway” to permanent kidney damage and kidney cancer.