We live in an era of health extremes, where everything is a hack, a cleanse, or a challenge. A kidney specialist makes a passionate case for reclaiming common sense, particularly when it comes to hydration, and moving away from an all-or-nothing mindset that can be surprisingly harmful.
The “gallon a day” water challenge is a perfect example of this extremism. It takes a simple, healthy principle—drink enough water—and pushes it to an illogical and potentially dangerous conclusion. It replaces the nuance of individual needs with the brute force of a single, massive number.
Common sense tells us that our needs vary from day to day. A day spent relaxing on the couch requires less water than a day spent hiking. Common sense tells us to listen when our body says it’s thirsty and to stop when it says it’s full. Health extremism tells us to ignore these signals in favor of the rule.
This extremist mindset can lead to overhydration and the dangerous condition of hyponatremia. It’s a direct result of abandoning common sense in the pursuit of a perceived health ideal.
The path back to sanity is simple. Trust your body. Respect moderation. Understand that there are no magic shortcuts to health. By reclaiming common sense, we can build sustainable, balanced, and truly healthy habits.