Today is World Kidney Day and campaigners are urging the world to start it with a glass of water.
The day has been launched to highlight the growing threat of kidney disease, which affects up to 600 million people worldwide.
Campaigners say the glass of water is symbolic – as there is little evidence that drinking water can protect the kidneys.
Today’s events are meant to focus on the risks of kidney disease to elderly people.
But yesterday British researchers pointed to the grapefruit as being able to protect against some kinds of kidney disease.
Professor John Feehally, co-chair of the World Kidney Day, said: "About half of people aged 75 or more have some degree of chronic kidney disease.
"We want them to be smart about their kidneys by taking a simple blood and urine tests to detect chronic kidney disease early. Our message to the general public is: talk to your doctor.”
Meanwhile scientists at Royal Holloway College, London University, UK, said they had identified a natural substance in grapefruit that can prevent kidney cysts forming.
The substance is naringenin and the researchers say it may help treat polycystic kidney disease.
Researcher Professor Robin Williams said: “This discovery is vital in helping us to understand how polycystic kidney disease may be controlled and ultimately treated.
"Kidney disease is a debilitating condition that can be fatal and finding a treatment is a truly urgent health priority.”
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