Before We Start: Defining Some Basic Kidney Terms
Your kidneys are truly amazing. A healthy set of kidneys filters about ½ cup of blood every minute! They remove excess water and wastes from the blood .
Kidney infections occur when bacteria from the gut travel through the bladder and up to the kidneys . These are usually treated with antibiotics, and if you talk to your doctor, you may be able to add herbs to your treatment regimen to help ease pain and other symptoms.
Kidney stones are made up of crystal-forming substances, such as uric acid, calcium, oxalate, or cysteine. High levels of these in the urine and too little fluid to dilute them can cause stones . Drinking more fluids, changing the diet, and sometimes medication are used as preventative approaches .
Kidney disease or failure involves the loss of kidney function. Some causes include:
Now, lets find out how your favorite beverages might play into all this.
Do I Need To Worry About Its Impact On My Kidneys
Green tea can in fact damage your kidneys. Like green tea and its impact on your liver, for example, too much green tea or green tea extract can be toxic. The harmful effects of green tea are often due to three major factors: Its caffeine content, the presence of aluminum, and according to Chinese Medicines review the effects of tea polyphenols on iron bioavailability. Green tea should be avoided if your doctor states so if youre suffering from heart conditions or major cardiovascular problems. It is recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women need to limit their amounts of green intake to two cups a day.
For those suffering from renal failure, high levels of aluminum can lead to neurological disease. For the larger popular, up to 10 small cups of green tea, a day is likely fine according to Chemical Biology and Pharmacognosy Professor Chung Yan. At the end of the day, chances are most of us tea lovers do not need to worry but it is important to know what impact green tea does have on the body!
High Caffeine And Kidneys: Lets Explore Some Popular Drinks
Unfortunately, the effect of caffeine on the kidneys isnt great. Caffeine consumption is a risk factor for kidney disease, and can cause scarring of the glomeruli that is, the vessels in the kidneys that filter blood .
Caffeine may also lead to kidney stones, and it increases strain on the kidneys . However, some caffeinated beverages, like coffee, may be safe in small amounts due to certain plant constituents .
One review found that the data is inconclusive regarding caffeine and kidney stone risk however, the researchers pointed out that coffee and decaffeinated coffee,but not other caffeinated beverages, actually had a protective effect on the kidneys .
The bottom line, though, is that you probably shouldnt overdo it when it comes to caffeine. Lets look at some classically high caffeine drinks: black tea and coffee:
Read Also: Can Prostate Cancer Cause Kidney Problems
Can Drinking Too Much Tea Damage Your Kidneys
Well, there is a common misunderstanding that all teas are made from a dehydrated or roasted version of a tea leaf. This is true, but not for all teas. Green tea is made from unoxidized leaves and is much healthier than regular tea. The process of oxidizing the leaves in regular tea is what makes it lose its nutrition value..
Coffee Consumption And Kidney Disease: What Research Says
For a while, coffee was considered potentially dangerous to the kidneys however, the relationship may be more complex than originally thought. There have been numerous studies on the correlation between coffee consumption and kidney disease. Population-based epidemiological studies tend to show a link between coffee consumption and possibly a protective effect on kidney function.
For instance, a study from Korea involving over 2,600 women revealed that coffee consumption was associated with a decreased risk of kidney disease, including in diabetic women. However, population-based surveys arent enough to make hard conclusions. So, given the possibly controversial and pertinent nature of the topic, a meta-analysis published in 2016 attempted to answer this same question.
This meta-analysis revealed that theres no link between coffee consumption and increased risk of kidney disease in male patients. Interestingly, however, the study noted the possibility of a reduced risk of kidney disease in women who drink coffee. Based on these data, the conclusion regarding coffee could be harmless on male kidneys, and possibly beneficial for womens kidneys.
Also Check: What Does It Mean When My Kidneys Ache
Choosing Tea For Kidney Health
So, is there a best tea for kidney disease? Some herbal teas can help target or prevent specific kidney-related problems, but it’s important to ask your doctor before drinking them regularly, especially if you have serious kidney issues. Many of the studies related to potential “kidney cleanses” have not been undertaken in large-sample, human trials.
A September 2016 study published in the Asian Journal of Urology found that Blumea balsamifera, or sambong, decreased the size of laboratory-grown calcium crystals, which are formed from urine minerals. The study used a commercially-available tea. Sambong may also prevent the formation of these crystals. If too many larger crystals stick together, they can form painful stones. Sanbong’s crystal-decreasing action potentially lowers the risk of kidney stones. Sambong is derived from a tropical shrub.
One type of hydrangea shrub, Hydrangea paniculata, features cone-shaped flowers. It also boasts medicinal properties. Research published in the December 2017 issue of Frontiers of Pharmacology focused on the high presence of the beneficial compounds in hydrangea that are known as coumarins. Coumarins have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to animal studies, ingesting hydrangea can have protective qualities, at least in the case of kidney injury. Hydrangea paniculata is available in “kidney cleanse” blends. Whether it’s the best tea for kidney disease is, of course, a question your doctor can help you solve.
Related Articles You May Be Interested In
If you have ever thought that Green Tea is an acquired taste or that it is too bitter to enjoy, were here to change your mind! We want everyone to experience the health benefits of Green Tea and show you that this can be an amazing, refreshing, and delicious drink when made correctly. With just a few tips on how to brew this powerful leaf we can change your mind about the taste and enjoyment of drinking Green Tea.
Dont miss out on the health benefits of tea!
- Lower your risk of cancers
- Reduce risk of heart disease
- Lowers risk of diabetes
We know that you will love this tips to brewing tea and getting the most flavor and elegance out of every cup. Sign up for Free Japanese Green Tea Club and get this great informative manual on brewing green tea. You will learn what it is that makes it one of the most popular beverages in the world.
Sign up for Free Green Tea Club for to Get The Two Books for Free.
Sign up free to Green Tea Club to get tips and exclusive articles about how to use your matcha and green tea for a healthy lifestyle. Green Tea Club is hosted by Kei Nishida
Read Also: Does Vitamin C Cause Kidney Stones
May Help Reduce Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can increase your risk of heart and kidney failure, stroke, vision loss, and heart attacks. Fortunately, changes in your diet and lifestyle can lower your blood pressure .
One review of well-designed studies looked at the effects of drinking tea on blood pressure in people with hypertension, or high blood pressure.
The review found that regular tea intake helped lower systolic blood pressure by 4.81 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.98 mm Hg in people with hypertension . Further, those who drank tea regularly for longer than three months experienced even greater decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Another review of studies looking at the effects of black tea on blood pressure found that drinking black tea significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to control . The effects were more pronounced for men and people who drank black tea for longer than seven days.
Drinking black tea on a daily basis, as well as incorporating other lifestyle modifications like stress management strategies, may benefit those with high blood pressure.
Summary
High blood pressure can cause many health complications. Drinking black tea on a regular basis may help decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
If You Drink Black Tea Every Day You May Reduce Your Risk Of Cancer
Thanks to improvements in cancer treatment and detection, the number of cancer survivors living in the United States increases every year, according to the American Cancer Society. Preventative efforts remain super important as well, as well as regular checkups to facilitate early detection, whether you’ve had cancer or not.
As it turns out, you can add your decision to drink black tea every day to your list of preventative measures, according to Hillary Cecere, a registered dietitian. “You might reduce the risk of certain cancers,” she told The List. “The polyphenols found in black tea have antioxidant properties that help prevent the formation of certain types of cancer cells.”
Of course, you shouldn’t rely on drinking black tea alone to protect you from the disease, or consider it a form of medication. But indeed some research has shown that black tea has great potential to help fight against cancer cells, according to Healthline. And that’s good news.
Also Check: Can Seltzer Water Cause Kidney Stones
Is Drinking Tea Bad For Health
5/5DrinkingteasafeDrinkingteahealth
Likewise, is drinking tea everyday bad for you?
Though moderate intake is healthy for most people, drinking too much could lead to negative side effects, such as anxiety, headaches, digestive issues, and disrupted sleep patterns. Most people can drink 34 cups of tea daily without adverse effects, but some may experience side effects at lower doses.
Likewise, is a cup of tea healthy? It is thought that antioxidants and magnesium compounds help to keep weight down. Drinking one cup of tea a day could also help to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, studies have suggested. Green tea is considered to have the most health benefits of any type of tea.
In this way, is drinking milk tea bad for health?
Tea is good for the heart but adding milk to it wipes out the benefits, say researchers. Tea drinkers enjoy some protection against heart disease. But the benefits are completely wiped out if, like most of the British population, they add milk, researchers reveal today.
Which tea is good for health?
10 Healthy Herbal Teas You Should Try
- Peppermint Tea. Peppermint tea is one of the most commonly used herbal teas in the world .
- Ginger Tea. Ginger tea is a spicy and flavorful drink that packs a punch of healthy, disease-fighting antioxidants .
Is Yerba Mate Tea Good Or Bad For Kidneys
Yerba mate is an herbal tea native to South America with a smooth, woody flavor. Its high in antioxidants and nutrients. We bring it up here because it has a caffeine content comparable to coffee, making it a popular coffee alternative for waking you up in the morning.
Despite yerba mates benefits, there is little research on its relationship to kidney health. It does contain oxalic acid, an oxalate, so it should be avoided in excess when experiencing kidney conditions .
I have come across information that yerba mate may have properties which can help dissolve kidney stones. However, I have yet to verify this information with any reliable sources . At this time, Id recommend speaking to your physician and moderating your consumption of yerba mate if kidney health is a concern for you.
What we do know is that the antioxidants in yerba mate really make an impact in how the body responds to the high caffeine – in a good way. A much healthier way to get your high caffeine kick. To learn more about yerba mate and its benefits, check out our spotlight post!
Coffee, Black Tea and the Kidneys: The Conclusion:
For those who like cups and cups a day of coffee or black tea, the caffeine and oxalates should make you pause for thought if you care about your kidneys. BUT all is not lost, read on for…
You May Like: How Do Know If Your Kidneys Are Failing
Infrequently Asked Questions: Can Drinking Too Much Tea Cause Kidney Stones
The world is full of questions we all want answers to but are either too embarrassed, time-crunched or intimidated to actually ask. In the spirit of that shared experience, weve embarked on a journey to answer all of the questions that burn in the minds of Philadelphians everything from universal curiosities to Philly-specific musings .
Tea drinkers have long feared the answer to the question of whether their hydration method of choice is actually detrimental to their kidney health. Eager to set the record straight, we reached out to Dr. Pooja Singh, a clinical assistant professor in nephrology at Jefferson University Hospital.
Getting to the chase, can drinking too much tea really cause kidney stones?
The answer to that is Yes, but only if it is done in an excess amount. And the reason for that is because tea, specifically black tea, which is how we drink tea in America, is very rich in a mineral called oxalates. These are present not only in black tea, but chocolates, spinach, beets and peanuts. So if you have susceptibility for stones you and I, if we are not susceptible to kidney stones, we can perhaps drink a lot more and not have a problem
Is oxalate present in other teas, too?
Specifically if they have a history, not to drink so much black tea. And it also goes with other things like the chocolate and the spinach and other things I mentioned.
How do you know youre susceptible?
Case In New England Journal Of Medicine
There was a case that was submitted to the New England Journal of Medicine. That case involved a man who went to the hospital and was in a pretty bad shape. And that man ended up with dialysis. The doctors couldnt find out what is the main cause of kidney failure. But after some research on that man, they found out that, the kidney failure was due to the excessive use of iced tea.
Recommended Reading: When To Get A Kidney Transplant
Good Drinks For Kidneys
It doesnt just matter how much you drink for kidney health but what youre drinking that makes drinks good for kidneys. Beverages can be great to keep you hydrated and allow the kidneys to filter out toxins and wastes.
There are certain drinks that have good-for-you qualities related to your kidneys. Learn here what makes for some of the best drinks for kidneys.
You May Like: Texas Tea Slots App
Ginger & Kidney Stones
No research has been done to see if ginger is good for kidney stones.
Ginger does have a fair amount of oxalate. And, most of that oxalate is soluble, which makes it more absorbable. It is unlikely that eating or cooking with ginger will add a significant amount of oxalate to your diet. But, ginger supplements and extracts might. Id recommend avoiding ginger supplements if you have high urine oxalate.
Recommended Reading: Does Carbonation Cause Kidney Stones
Read Also: What Is A Kidney Cleansing Tea
The Positive And Negative Points Of Drinking Green Tea
Nowadays, where people are attracted to artificial things, some of the people are adopting natural herbs in the form of green tea to maintain a healthy body.
Instead of drinking green tea for polycystic kidney disease patientsor other health ailments. The amount of caffeine and potassium is high in coffee or tea that is not healthy for your body. Yes, there is some amount of caffeine in green teas, but not in much amount. So, overconsumption of anything is not good for you, better to consult a doctor or dietician about the quantity of cup of green tea, you can drink per day.
Mostly all types of green teas are made up of Camellia Sinensis plants. Green teas are manufactured by steaming pan-frying the leaves of camellia Sinensis and let them dry for some time. And, the other green teas like black and oolong are made up of fermented leaves.
Can you drink green tea if you have kidney disease? Thousands of people are searching for it, but they dont know that green tea not only benefits the kidneys as well as prevent some of the health ailments.
When You Drink Iced Tea Every Day You Could Lose Weight
When it comes to the health benefits of iced tea, researchers usually focus on black tea. But one type of herbal tea may actually be more helpful when it comes to losing weight.
A 2018 study published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology found that drinking herbal tea made from yerba mate, a plant native to South America , encouraged fat oxidation. Kathryn Schwab, a health and wellness researcher at Tons of Goodness, explained, are in a constant state of turnover, meaning that fat is continuously entering or exiting the cell Fatty acids released into the bloodstream can then be burned for energy. When fat is oxidized, this results in weight loss. Interestingly, the 2018 study found that iced yerba mate was more effective at fat oxidation than hot yerba mate.
If youre one of the 56.4 percent of American women trying to lose weight, you may want to swap out your regular iced black tea for an iced yerba mate.
You May Like: Long Island Iced Tea Recipes Variations
Recommended Reading: Where Is Kidney Stone Pain Felt