Board-certified nephrologist Blake Shusterman, MD, debunks common kidney health myths. Urinating normally doesn’t guarantee healthy kidneys, and nocturnal urination is often due to aging or other conditions, not kidney disease. Alcohol primarily affects the liver, not kidneys, and moderate coffee consumption may actually lower chronic kidney disease risk. Despite misconceptions, kidney disease is common, affecting 15% of U.S. adults, and “kidney cleanses” don’t work—the kidneys detoxify the body naturally. Chronic kidney disease often has no symptoms until advanced, but early detection and treatment can slow its progression. Routine screening is essential for those at risk.