What lifestyle change is often recommended to prevent kidney stones?

Maintaining hydration is a crucial lifestyle change recommended to prevent kidney stones. Proper hydration dilutes the substances in urine that lead to stone formation, thereby reducing the risk of crystals forming and ultimately solidifying into stones. When individuals are well-hydrated, they produce more urine, which can help flush out minerals and salts that might otherwise accumulate and form stones.

In contrast, reducing protein intake may be beneficial in certain cases, as high levels of protein can contribute to some types of stones, but this is not a universally applicable recommendation for everyone. Increasing caffeine consumption does not have a direct correlation with preventing kidney stones and may even lead to dehydration in large quantities. Avoiding fiber is not typically recommended in the context of kidney stone prevention; in fact, dietary fiber is generally regarded as important for overall health. Therefore, focusing on hydration is the most effective and widely endorsed strategy for preventing kidney stones.