The text explores the concept of denormalization in document databases, particularly focusing on Couchbase, and compares it with the traditional normalization used in relational databases. Unlike relational databases that prioritize consistency and queryability by maintaining non-duplicative data, document databases like Couchbase store data that is frequently accessed together in single documents, which can enhance speed and reduce complexity. The trade-offs between embedding data within a single document and referring to external documents are discussed, highlighting the benefits of embedding such as faster data access and fault tolerance, and the advantages of referring, which include maintaining consistency, improved queryability, and efficient cache usage. The text also notes that while denormalization is integral to document databases, maintaining canonical records is often more efficient, especially when dealing with large or frequently updated data sets.