Everything we consume is broken down into smaller parts somewhere in our body. When it comes to protein, it is near the final stages of this process that we’re concerned with, since it affects our kidneys and liver.

When protein is broken down, one of the by-products is ammonia. To our bodies, ammonia is toxic, so we have developed systems and enzymes to flush it out efficiently. Through various pathways involving the liver, this ammonia is converted into a substance called urea. From here, urea is sent to the kidneys to be processed and flushed out in urine.

In normal amounts, this process works just fine, as our bodies have the tools needed to remove the ammonia by-product from protein. However, when we begin to consume a high protein diet, we can begin to tax these systems and cause strain on our liver and kidneys.

This is why research has now shown that the more protein you eat, the more water you need to be drinking.

Why? because water is used to flush out the excess waste created by the breakdown of protein, and in order to stay hydrated, we need to consume more H2O to make up for that extra water loss.

By not consuming enough water to support your workouts and diet, you can increase your risk of dehydration, increase the strain placed on organ function and even reduce overall stamina!