What is the best drink for stage 3 kidney disease?

October 11, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately 37 million Americans have chronic kidney disease (CKD), and managing fluid intake is a crucial part of controlling its progression. Knowing what is the best drink for stage 3 kidney disease is a key step towards maintaining kidney health and preventing complications like fluid retention.

Quick Summary

A proper diet for stage 3 chronic kidney disease requires careful fluid management to support kidney function. Recommended beverages include water, infused water, herbal tea, and low-potassium juices, while drinks high in sugar, potassium, or phosphorus should be avoided or limited.

Key Points

Plain Water: The top choice for hydration in stage 3 CKD, helping to clear waste without added calories or minerals.
Infused Water: A great way to add natural flavor to water using low-potassium fruits like berries, cucumber, or lemon.
Herbal Teas: Unsweetened green, mint, or chamomile teas are hydrating and contain beneficial antioxidants when consumed in moderation.
Low-Potassium Juices: Unsweetened cranberry and apple juice can be consumed in limited quantities, but high-potassium juices like pomegranate and prune should be avoided.
Avoid High-Risk Drinks: Limit or avoid sugary sodas, energy drinks, and dark colas, as these contain high sugar or phosphorus levels that can stress the kidneys.
Personalized Plan: Always consult a doctor or renal dietitian to determine your specific fluid intake goals, as needs can change based on your health status.

The Importance of Hydration in Stage 3 CKD

For individuals with stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidney function is moderately decreased, but often not yet severe enough to require dialysis. During this stage, the kidneys are still able to filter waste and manage fluids, but their capacity is reduced. Maintaining proper hydration is essential for several reasons, including helping the kidneys clear sodium, urea, and other waste products from the body. However, the key is balance; fluid needs can vary significantly from person to person. Unlike end-stage kidney failure, most people with stage 3 CKD do not need to restrict fluids unless advised by a healthcare professional due to signs of fluid retention, such as swelling.

The #1 Choice for Hydration: Plain Water

Water is, without a doubt, the single best beverage for individuals at any stage of kidney disease. It is calorie-free, additive-free, and perfectly designed for hydration. For those with stage 3 CKD who do not have fluid restrictions, drinking enough water helps the kidneys perform their essential filtering function. The amount of water needed depends on factors like body size, activity level, and climate, but a general guideline is around 1.5–2 liters per day (6–8 glasses).

To make plain water more palatable, consider these kidney-friendly options:

Infused Water: Add slices of low-potassium fruits like berries (strawberries, blueberries), cucumber, or lemon to a pitcher of water for natural flavor without added sugar or electrolytes.
Sparkling Water: For those who enjoy carbonation, plain sparkling water can be a good substitute for soda. Ensure the brand does not have added sodium or potassium.

Kidney-Friendly Alternatives for Stage 3 CKD

Herbal and Green Teas

Unsweetened green tea and many herbal teas are excellent alternatives to plain water. They offer antioxidants that can benefit kidney health.

Green Tea: Contains catechins, antioxidants that may help protect kidney function. Drink it unsweetened and in moderation due to caffeine content.
Herbal Teas: Options like mint, ginger, and chamomile are generally safe and hydrating. Always choose unsweetened varieties.

Low-Potassium Juices

While many fruit juices are high in potassium and sugar, some can be enjoyed in moderation.

Unsweetened Cranberry Juice: Known for helping prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), cranberries are low in potassium and can be beneficial. Choose unsweetened juice to avoid excess sugar.
Unsweetened Apple Juice: A lower-potassium option compared to many other fruit juices, but should still be consumed in moderation due to sugar content.
Lemon Water: The citrate in lemon juice can help prevent certain types of kidney stones.

Plant-Based Milks

Dairy milk can be high in phosphorus and potassium. Many plant-based alternatives are better for managing these mineral levels.

Unsweetened Almond Milk: A low-potassium and low-phosphorus alternative to cow's milk.
Unsweetened Coconut Milk Beverage: Another low-potassium option, but note that coconut water is very high in potassium and should be avoided.

Note: Always check the nutrition label for added sugars and phosphate additives, which are not kidney-friendly.

Drinks to Limit or Avoid in a Stage 3 Kidney Diet

Certain beverages can put unnecessary strain on compromised kidneys and should be limited or avoided altogether. Excessive intake of these drinks can lead to electrolyte imbalances, higher blood pressure, and increased risk of complications.

High-Potassium Beverages

Coconut Water: Despite being a popular electrolyte drink, its very high potassium content makes it unsuitable for most people with CKD.
Pomegranate Juice: Contains a high amount of potassium.
Prune Juice: Known for being high in potassium.

Sugary and Carbonated Drinks

Cola Drinks: Dark colas contain phosphoric acid, an additive that can increase phosphorus levels in the blood and should be avoided.
Sugary Sodas and Energy Drinks: High in sugar and additives, these can contribute to weight gain, diabetes, and high blood pressure—all risk factors for worsening kidney disease.

Dairy and High-Phosphorus Drinks

Cow's Milk: Can be a source of high phosphorus and potassium. The amount consumed may need to be limited, and low-fat versions contain slightly more potassium.

Excessive Alcohol and Caffeine

Alcohol: Heavy drinking can contribute to high blood pressure and other health issues that affect kidney health. Moderate consumption may be acceptable, but always discuss with a healthcare provider.
Coffee: While moderate intake (1–3 cups of plain black coffee) may be safe for some, excessive amounts should be avoided due to caffeine and potassium content. Decaf is a safer option if caffeine affects blood pressure.

Comparison of Kidney-Friendly vs. High-Risk Beverages


Drink Type	Kidney-Friendly Options	High-Risk Options
Water	Plain water, fruit-infused water	—
Tea	Unsweetened green tea, herbal teas (mint, chamomile)	Pre-sweetened teas, unregulated herbal concoctions
Juices	Unsweetened cranberry, apple (in moderation)	Pomegranate, prune, high-potassium fruit juices
Milk	Unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk beverage	Cow's milk, oat milk (high potassium)
Carbonated	Plain sparkling water, unsweetened flavored sparkling water	Dark colas (phosphoric acid), sugary sodas
Specialty	Homemade, low-sugar smoothies with berries	Commercial energy drinks, sports drinks, coconut water

Conclusion

For most people with stage 3 kidney disease, the best drink is plain water. However, a variety of low-sugar, low-potassium alternatives like herbal teas, low-potassium juices, and certain plant-based milks can add interest and variety to a diet. It is crucial to limit or completely avoid beverages that are high in sugar, phosphorus, or potassium, such as dark colas, energy drinks, and coconut water. The most important step is to always consult with a healthcare team, including a renal dietitian, to get personalized guidance on fluid intake and specific dietary needs. A tailored nutrition plan is the key to effectively managing stage 3 CKD.

Visit the National Kidney Foundation's website for more information on kidney health

Frequently Asked Questions

Fluid intake can vary, but generally, 1.5–2 liters (about 6–8 glasses) per day is recommended for stage 3 CKD patients without fluid retention. It's crucial to consult your healthcare provider for a personalized recommendation based on your specific condition.

Moderate intake of black, unsweetened coffee (1–3 cups per day) is often considered safe for individuals with stage 3 CKD. However, large amounts can increase potassium and blood pressure. It's best to avoid adding milk or creamers, which are high in phosphorus and potassium.

You can drink some fruit juices in moderation, provided they are unsweetened and low in potassium. Good options include cranberry and apple juice. However, high-potassium juices like pomegranate and prune should be limited or avoided.

Plant-based milks like unsweetened almond milk are generally lower in potassium and phosphorus than cow's milk and often recommended for kidney health. Always check labels to avoid products with added phosphate additives.

Most sugary sodas, especially dark colas containing phosphoric acid, should be avoided. However, plain or fruit-flavored sparkling water that has no added sodium or potassium is a safe and hydrating alternative.

Yes, coconut water is very high in potassium and should be avoided by people with stage 3 CKD and other kidney issues, as the kidneys may not be able to process the excess potassium.

Infusing plain water with low-potassium fruits (berries, cucumber) or herbs (mint, ginger) is a great way to add flavor. You can also make your own homemade ginger ale using seltzer and fresh ginger, controlling the sugar content.