<img src="https://<a href="https://healthylife7.com/the-biggest-health-food-myths-we-still-believe/” title=”The Biggest Health Food Myths We Still Believe”>healthylife7.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/aol_parade_744-2.png” alt=”Parade”>Emily Laurence Sardinha
Sat, July 25, 2026 at 6:25 PM UTC
Now that we’re in the middle of the hottest season of the year, you’re likely naturally drinking more water—and that’s definitely a good thing. Even if you spend most of your time indoors, high temperatures increase how much you sweat, leading to fluid loss.
If you’re 50 or older, it’s especially important to drink enough water. Older adults are at increased risk for dehydration. Dr. José Salvado, MD, a urologist at Case Western Reserve University, explains that this is because as we age, our sense of thirst becomes less reliable. At the same time, kidney function gradually declines as we age
Dr. Rajesh Patel, MD, the president of Associated Urological Specialists, tells Parade that medications such as diuretics, chronic medical conditions, cognitive impairment and mobility limitations that make it harder to access fluids are all reasons why older adults are at higher risk for dehydration
“Unfortunately, studies show many adults over 70 don’t meet recommended daily fluid intake, making dehydration one of the most common preventable health issues I see,” he says
There’s one sign of dehydration that both urologists say people over 50 should take seriously. Not only could it be a symptom of not drinking enough water, it could be an indicator of a more serious underlying health condition
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How Hydration Needs Change as We Age
Dr. Patel explains that while our body’s need for water doesn’t decrease as we age, our ability to recognize and respond to dehydration does. “Younger adults can often rely on thirst as a reminder to drink, but adults over 50 should be much more intentional about staying hydrated instead of waiting until they feel thirsty. Fluid requirements also increase during hot weather, illness or increased physical activity, so hydration should be adjusted accordingly,” he says
Dr. Salvado agrees, emphasizing that older adults need to be more intentional when it comes to staying hydrated. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, it’s still important to drink water throughout the day, especially if it’s hot out, you’re feeling sick or you’re doing any physical activity
How much water should people 50 and older aim to drink a day? While there’s no universal recommendation because hydration needs depend on body size, activity level, medications, kidney function and heart health, both urologists recommend aiming for between 2 to 2.5 liters (about 8 to 10 cups) of fluids a day as a general guideline
Related:Doctors Are Begging You to Stop Making This Super-Common Hydration Mistake
“Patients with heart failure or chronic kidney disease should follow their physician’s recommendations, as more fluid is not always better,” Dr. Patel tells Parade
The Dehydration Symptom To Take Seriously
Both urologists say that one easy way to know if you’re drinking enough water is to check your urine colorwhen you pee. If it’s colorless to pale yellow, that means you’re drinking enough water. If your urine is dark-colored, that’s a sure sign that you need to drink more water
Dark-colored urine is a symptom that should be taken seriously. Besides being a sign of dehydration, both doctors say that it can be a sign of another health problem, such as liver disease. “Excess bilirubin darkens the urine in people with liver disease,” Dr. Salvado explains
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If your urine is dark and contains blood, both doctors say this could be a sign of a urinary tract infection, kidney stones, or cancer of the kidney or bladder
Related:The #1 Sign You Aren’t Drinking Enough Water—and How to Tell if You’re Overhydrated
Certain medications can also cause urine to be darker in color. Both doctors say that this includes phenazopyridine, rifampin, nitrofurantoin and some chemotherapy drugs. And Dr. Salvado explains that dark-colored foods, such as beets or blackberries, can darken urine color
When To See a Doctor About Dark Urine
It can be tricky to know when to see a doctor because your urine is darkly colored. On the one hand, the health conditions mentioned above are serious and it’s best to catch them early. On the other hand, you may feel a little foolish if you see your doctor about it and it turns out that it’s simply due to that beet salad you had for lunch
PSA: If you have any hint of a concern, it’s best to see a doctor. Even if your dark urine does stem from something as straightforward as not drinking enough water or due to something you ate, it’s better to know and no doctor should make you feel embarrassed about coming in.
“Dark urine is often the body’s first warning sign that something isn’t right. Sometimes the explanation is as simple as dehydration, but it can also signal infections, kidney stones, liver disease, or even kidney or bladder cancer,” Dr. Patel says.
He explains that one of the challenges is that kidney and bladder cancers can be relatively silent in their early stages, sharing, “Painless blood in the urine is a classic warning sign that should never be attributed simply to aging or dehydration.”
Dr. Patel adds that if urine remains dark despite increasing fluid intake or if it is accompanied by blood, pain, fever, burning with urination, abdominal or flank pain, jaundice, nausea, vomiting or significant fatigue, medical evaluation should be sought promptly. “Even a single episode of visible blood in the urine warrants evaluation, particularly in adults over 50,” he tells Parade
“If dark urine persists despite adequate hydration, it should be evaluated by a healthcare provider,” Dr. Salvado says.
Remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and see a doctor if you have any concerns about your health, rather than ignore it and wait for more intrusive symptoms to occur. “Fortunately, many causes of dark urine are benign, but it’s always better to identify the cause rather than make assumptions,” Dr. Salvado says
Your urine is an indicator of how your bladder, kidneys and liver are functioning. It’s worth it to take a look before you flush
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Related: Here’s What a Gastroenterologist Really Wants You To Know About Bidets
Sources
Li, S., Xiao, X. and Zhang, X. (2023). Hydration Status in Older Adults: Current Knowledge and Future Challenges.Nutrients.15(11):2609
Dr. José Salvado, MD, urologist at Case Western Reserve University
Dr. Rajesh Patel, MD, president of Associated Urological Specialists
Common Characteristics of Liver Disease. Johns Hopkins Medicine
This story was originally published byParadeon Jul 25, 2026, where it first appeared in theHealth & Wellnesssection. Add Parade as aPreferred
