How To Avoid Kidney Stones
Here are the five ways to help prevent kidney stones:
Drink plenty of water: Drinking extra water dilutes the substances in urine that lead to stones. Strive to drink enough fluids to pass 2 liters of urine a day, which is roughly eight standard 8-ounce cups. It may help to include some citrus beverages, like lemonade and orange juice. The citrate in these beverages helps block stone formation.
Eat calcium rich foods: Dietary calcium binds to oxalate in your intestines and thereby decreases the amount of oxalate that gets absorbed into the bloodstream and then excreted by the kidney. This lowers the concentration of oxalate in the urine, so there is less chance it can bind to urinary calcium. That leads to decreased risk of kidney stones.
Reduce sodium: A high-sodium diet can trigger kidney stones because it increases the amount of calcium in your urine. So, a low-sodium diet is recommended for the stone prone. Current guidelines suggest limiting total daily sodium intake to 2,300 mg. If sodium has contributed to kidney stones in the past, try to reduce your daily intake to 1,500 mg. This will also be good for your blood pressure and heart.
Avoid stone-forming foods: Beets, chocolate, spinach, rhubarb, tea, and most nuts are rich in oxalate, which can contribute to kidney stones. If you suffer from stones, your doctor may advise you to avoid these foods or to consume them in smaller amounts.
Alcohol And Kidney Stones: Whats The Relationship
There is not significant evidence that alcohol directly causes kidney stones. Alcohol use particularly excessive alcohol use in which a woman drinks four or more alcoholic drinks in a single occasion or a man drinks five or more drinks during a single session is, however, linked to the development of a variety of other health problems. Some of these health issues include kidney damage, kidney failure, high blood pressure, various cancers, weakened immune system, mental health problems, social problems, and alcohol use disorders .2,3 Some of these issues directly or indirectly negatively impact the renal system.
Concentrated urine can occur when the body is dehydrateda leading cause of kidney stones.3 Dehydration can occur when people do not drink enough water to help the kidneys remove waste from the blood.3
Other causes and risk factors of kidney stones include:
- Past kidney stones.
- Conditions that causes your urine to contain high levels of cystine, oxalate, uric acid or calcium.
- Conditions that cause swelling or irritation in your bowel or your joints.
- Certain medicines, such as diuretics or calcium-based antacids.
If you are concerned about the way your drinking may be impacting your health, treatment for compulsive drinking can help. Reach out to our admissions navigators to learn about your alcohol treatment options at .
Four Main Kinds Of Kidney Stones
There are four main kinds of kidney stones:
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Calcium oxalate stones, by far the most common type of kidney stone
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Calcium phosphate stones, also very common
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Uric acid stones, often associated with diabetes
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Struvite stones, often caused by an active infection
The two most common kidney stones include calcium’ in their names, so does that mean you should cut out milk and other calcium-rich foods?
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Do Coffee And Caffeine Cause Kidney Stones
Experiencing the back pain, groin pain, fever, chills, nausea or vomiting associated with kidney stones may spur you to change your lifestyle to avoid further stone formation. A kidney stone is solid mass of crystals that can collect in your kidney or anywhere else in your urinary tract. Certain foods and beverages may increase your risk for kidney stone formation, but coffee and caffeine may have protective effects.
The Amount Of Coffee You Drink
First thing to consider is the nutritional content of coffee. An 8 oz. cup of black coffee has 116 mg of potassium3. This is considered a low potassium food. However, many people drink more than one cup of coffee each day. Three to four cups of coffee a day is considered high in potassium and could raise your potassium levels. Adding creamers or milk can further raise your coffees potassium content. Drinking less than three cups of coffee/day is generally considered safe. Phosphorus, sodium, calories, carbohydrates and protein are minimal in black coffee and not of nutritional consideration.
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Effects Of Caffeine Consumption On Kidney Stone Disease
Although the effects of caffeine on the kidney have been extensively studied, its influence in kidney stone disease seems to be overlooked. The evidence on whether caffeine prevents or promotes kidney stone disease has recently become more clear. Because an increase in fluid intake is widely recommended for the prevention of kidney stone formation, some previous studies during the past 2 decades focused on the relevance of the type of consumed beverages, including caffeinated beverages, in association with kidney stone incidence. In 1996, the first cohort data retrieved from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study in 45,298 male participants who had no history of kidney stones were reported . The findings showed that not all types of beverages affect kidney stone disease. Only caffeinated coffee and decaffeinated coffee and tea, but not caffeinated and noncaffeinated sodas, are associated with an 10% lower risk of kidney stone incidence .
In 1998, the Nurses Health Study , another cohort study in 81,083 female participants who had no history of kidney stones reported the association between beverage consumption and a lower risk of kidney stone disease . The data showed a 10%, 9%, and 8% lower risk of kidney stone formation in the participants who consumed caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and tea, respectively .
Is Coffee Bad For Kidney Stones
Potatoes and sweet potatoes are potassium-rich vegetables.
Just one medium-sized baked potato contains 610 mg of potassium, whereas one average-sized baked sweet potato contains 541 mg of potassium .
Fortunately, some high potassium foods, including potatoes and sweet potatoes, can be soaked or leached to reduce their potassium contents.
Cutting potatoes into small, thin pieces and boiling them for at least 10 minutes can reduce the potassium content by about 50% .
Potatoes that are soaked in water for at least 4 hours before cooking are proven to have an even lower potassium content than those not soaked before cooking .
This method is known as potassium leaching or the double-cook method.
Although double cooking potatoes lowers the potassium content, its important to remember that their potassium content isnt eliminated by this method.
Considerable amounts of potassium can still be present in double-cooked potatoes, so its best to practice portion control to keep potassium levels in check.
SUMMARY
Potatoes and sweet potatoes are high potassium vegetables. Boiling or double cooking potatoes can decrease their potassium content by about 50%.
Tomatoes are another high potassium fruit that may not fit the guidelines of a renal diet.
They can be served raw or stewed and are often used to make sauces.
Just 1 cup of tomato sauce can contain upwards of 900 mg of potassium .
Unfortunately for those on a renal diet, tomatoes are commonly used in many dishes.
SUMMARY
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Other Foods To Eat To Prevent Kidney Stones
Consuming lots of food rich in calcium may be beneficial for reducing the risk of kidney stones. Calcium from food binds to oxalate in your intestines. So, your kidneys have to excrete less oxalate. Hence, urine contains less oxalate, reducing the chances of binding with calcium.
So, eating more calcium decreases the risk of kidney stones. You can see a list of common plant-based foods high in calcium here.
Do Certain Drinks Foods Or Medication Cause Kidney Stones
Experts have found that certain drinks, foods, and medication may increase ones risk of developing a kidney stone:4
- Animal proteins .
- Oxalate-rich foods .
- Sodium .
- Diuretic drinks .
- Medication .
Its important to talk with your doctor about all your health concerns including proper diet, exercise, and alcohol consumption. Brief health screenings by your provider can help determine if you are at increased risk for developing these types of health problems.
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Ways To Prevent Kidney Stones
All that said, there are some always-good-for-you options that can also help prevent stones.
Here’s a short list of recommendations to consider.
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Fluids of all types are safe, because they increase urine output and that’s a big goal. Dilute urine is your best friend in preventing stones, so drink up.
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There are benefits to balance, so eat more fruits and vegetables. “I can’t think of a reason why they wouldn’t be safe for anybody,” said Penniston. “A variety of fruits and vegetables can provide stone prevention benefits for most people. There are some foods like fruits and vegetables that, if we eat more of them, can reduce some of the major risk factors of most types of stones.”
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Bacteria can be a good thing. The gut microbiome is the hottest new topic when it comes to nutrition. And it turns out that the bacteria that live in our GI tract probably do have a lot more to do with our overall health than we think.”Some of the therapy that we do is aimed at optimizing the gut microbiome, and to do that you have to eat foods that will sustain a healthy colonization of bacteria, like fiber and fruits and vegetables,” said Penniston. “Cultured foods like yogurt, and kefir or fermented foods aid the microbiome directly by introducing more bacteria into the digestive tract.”
Watch Your Caffeine And Animal Protein
Consuming too much caffeine and eating too much animal protein can lead to the formation of stones. If you have frequent meals made up of coffee, meat, eggs and seafood, you can increase the level of uric acid and calcium in your urine. Replace your morning cup of coffee with juice or water, and consume more plant-based food rather than meat-heavy meals.
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How You Can Get Kidney Stones From Drinking Soda
Sodas are filled with unhealthy chemicals, including high levels of processed bleached sugar, phosphoric acid, caffeine, and high fructose corn syrup. These ingredients can be extremely harmful to your body, especially when consumed in large amounts.
High fructose corn syrup, in particular, can metabolize into oxalate and increase excretion of uric acid and calcium. This combination of high-level oxalate, uric acid, and calcium encourage kidney stone formation. Phosphoric acid is another culprit found in the average soda. This chemical creates an acidic environment in your kidney tract, enabling kidney stones to form more easily. In addition, many sodas are high in caffeine which is a diuretic that encourages chronic dehydration, which is the most common risk factor for kidney stone formation.
Can You Die From Kidney Stones
If left untreated, kidney stones can cause major health complications including hypertension and a reduced filtration rate , the process of removing enough wastes and fluids from the body to keep you healthy.5Kidney failure, although rare,6,7 is a complication of reduced filtration rate that can be life-threatening over time.5 Experts highly recommend prevention efforts to reduce or stop the formation of stones by treating other health conditions that cause the forming of stones such as high blood pressure.6
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Kidney Stones Feel Like A Stomachache
MYTH BUSTED: Kidney stones are more along the lines of a contraction, and some people it is more severe than labor, so go ask your mom if labor is just like a stomachache and send us her reaction. Trust us, the pain can range from a stabbing sensation to pain along the lines of menstrual cramps. Its definitely not a tummy ache.
Teas That Are Okay For You
9. Rosehip Tea
Rosehip tea has a variety of benefits, ranging from antioxidant properties to boosting your immunity. There are different reasons to drink this herbal tea.
But, it does contain a moderate amount of oxalates. So, if you are sensitive or already have kidney stones you may want to practice moderation when drinking this tea.
10. Yerba Mate Tea
Additionally, if you enjoy the South American Yerba Mate tea you may want to limit your daily consumption. It, as previous, contains a moderate amount of oxalates. So, despite being a stimulating alternative to coffee, you may rearrange your regime to avoid excess consumption.
11. Black Currant Tea
Lastly, black currants have a moderate amount of oxalates. So, if you enjoy this flavored tea you may want to be careful about how much you drink.
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Kidney Stones Formation & Coffee Drinking Relationship
This popular beverage, studies reveal, seem to assist in protecting our nervous system against degenerative diseases, increase mental alertness, reduces the risk of developing liver cirrhosis, and the tannins present in coffee can prevent the formation of dental caries to a great extent. Coffee also has a high content of caffeine, which is a bitter alkaloid that acts as a stimulant as well as a diuretic.
Success Stories
> Read Testimonials of Successfully Dissolving & Passing Kidney Stones at Home.
There is a popular belief that since coffee has a diuretic effect it can cause dehydration due to excess fluid loss more so in individuals who cease to drink required amounts of water on a daily basis.
It is a well-known fact that the chances of kidney stone development among human beings increase twofold when the body is in a dehydrated state and remains so for longer periods of time on a regular basis.
Minerals, normally found in human urine become crystallized when urine is highly concentrated and lacks natural substances that prevent them from forming into crystals.
However, as is with all good things in life, one is to observe reasonable limits while drinking coffee. Anything in excess is bad.
Many Of Us Enjoy Our Morning Cup Of Coffee And Although We May Not Consider Its Effects On Our Health Caffeine Creates Many Changes Throughout The Body But How Does It Affect The Kidneys
Coffee is one of the worlds favourite beverages, and its popularity has spurred interest in the various effects it has on health. However, it seems that coffees relationship to health may be a complex one.
As most people know, the active chemical in coffee is caffeine, which produces various effects, including stimulating the mind and body, increasing blood pressure, and having a diuretic effect on the urinary tract. But does this mean that coffee affects the Kidneys? Well, the short answer is yes, but it might not be as simple as you think.
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How Much Caffeine Per Day Is Safe
Up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day appears safe for most healthy adults. Over 500 milligrams of caffeine per day can result in anxiety, constipation, diarrhea, and rapid heart rate.
Interestingly enough, there has been a U-shaped risk curve with caffeine and hypertension. Those who drank less than one cup of coffee per week or more than three cups of coffee per day were found to have lower risk for developing hypertension.
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Assessment Of Kidney Stones
Participants who reported an incident kidney stone were asked to complete a supplementary questionnaire asking about the date of occurrence and symptoms such as pain or hematuria from the event. The self-reported diagnosis was shown to be valid in 9598% of self-reported cases who completed the additional questionnaire in separate validation studies . Stone composition was analyzed in a subsample of the study population and found to be predominantly calcium oxalate in 86% of participants in the HPFS, 77% of participants in the NHS I, and 79% of participants in the NHS II cohort .
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Health Issues Associated With Drinking Outside Of Renal System
Even a small amount of alcohol can impact your health in a negative way and is associated with an increased risk for death and other health problems. Short-term risks of excessive alcohol use include injuries, such as motor vehicle crash injuries, alcohol poisoning, risky sexual behaviors, miscarriage, and stillbirth.2
In the long-term, drinking can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, digestive issues, cancer , weakening immune system, learning and memory issues, mental health problems, social problems, and alcohol use disorders .2
Caffeine As A Diuretic
Caffeine, which belongs to a class of substances called methylxanthines, is a mild diuretic. Theophylline, another drug in this class, was actually used as a diuretic until more potent diuretics were developed. Both of these drugs act on the kidneys by preventing absorption of water. Research reported by R.J. Maughan and J. Griffin in the December 2003 “Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics” noted that people who had not had any caffeine for a few days had increased urinary output after drinking the amount of caffeine equivalent to two to three cups of coffee.
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Can Drinking Too Much Caffeine Affect Your Kidneys
Caffeine may be the most common drug in the human food supply. That mug of breakfast coffee, the cup of tea in the afternoon and the energy drink or cola on a hot day all contain caffeine. You may think of caffeine as a mild stimulant and use it for that purpose, but caffeine affects the whole body, including your kidneys.
Coffee: Whats In Your Cup
TipsTagsbest coffee drinkscoffeecoffee creamerkidney-friendly coffee drinks
Coffee, glorious coffee! The first thing I do in the morning is turn on Mr. Coffee. One time when we were out of coffee, I found myself driving around at 4 am searching for a Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks that was open.
This coffee lover is not alone. Coffee is one of the most common morning beverages in the US. Average coffee consumption among coffee drinkers is 3 cups per day . A U.S. research study found that coffee consumption causes no harm among males . However the correlation for females was not as strong, indicating more research is needed. A Korean research study found subjects that consumed at least 1 cup of coffee daily had 24% lower risk of chronic kidney disease . The researchers observed a decrease in blood pressure with increased coffee consumption. This along with the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds in coffee may be associated with the positive effect.
People with CKD often ask, Is coffee O.K.? And Which coffee creamer is best? The answer is that certain coffee drinks and creamers are kidney-friendly while others are not.
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