Research on fluid-electrolyte balance in athletes has largely emphasized acute hydration strategies to preserve performance, particularly under conditions of prolonged exercise and heat stress. While this focus has yielded valuable practical guidance, it has overshadowed the potential long-term health implications of habitual low water intake (LWI). Emerging evidence from non-athletic populations indicates that chronic LWI, often characterized by persistently elevated arginine vasopressin (AVP) and concentrated urine, may increase renal, endocrine, and metabolic strain, showing associations with insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation, and chronic disease risk. Notably, evidence suggests that up to 40% of the non-athletic population fail to meet the fluid intake recommendations. Furthermore, a considerable proportion of athletes are habitually classified as low drinkers (i.e., ~ 58% consuming