Sodas and their impact, plus potential kidney stone risks
The Dangerous Brew: Soda and Kidney Stones
Chugging that can of soda might be bad for your kidneys. Ingredients like fructose, phosphoric acid, and caffeine can increase the risk of kidney stones.
So, what makes soda so harmful? Let's dive in.
A kidney stone, simply put, is a hard mass formed from chemicals in your urine, such as oxalate, calcium, and uric acid. If the fluid in urine cannot dilute these chemicals properly, kidney stones may form.
Soda contains some suspect ingredients that might contribute to this issue. For instance, high fructose corn syrup, a common sweetener, is linked to kidney stone formation. A 2020 systematic review of 13 studies suggests that high soda consumption increases the risk of kidney stones compared to lower consumption.
Caffeine, another soda staple, has a more complex role. While it might help reduce the kidney stone risk with its diuretic properties, excessive caffeine can lead to dehydration, concentrating the urine and potentially increasing stone risk.
Phosphoric acid, common in cola drinks, acidifies the urine. Increased urine acidity promotes calcium phosphate stone formation. Chronic phosphoric acid intake from sodas can also decrease kidney function and increase the risk of kidney disease.
Now, you might be thinking, "Isn't caffeine good for kidney stones?" Well, it's a bit more complicated. While caffeine from coffee may help reduce kidney stone risk, caffeine from other sources like soda may increase it.
Fruit juices can be a rollercoaster ride for kidney stone formation. Some citrus juices, like lemon or lime, have protective effects, but the evidence is inconclusive. Fruit juices may also lead to increased oxalate levels in some people, raising kidney stone risk.
To prevent kidney stones, the National Kidney Foundation recommends you drink over 12 glasses of water daily. Plenty of hydration is crucial to dilute the chemicals in your urine, reducing the risk of stone formation.
Switching from soda to water may help reduce the risk of kidney stones. If you're experiencing symptoms like severe back pain, persistent abdominal pain, blood in the urine, nausea, fever, chills, or vomiting, contact a doctor immediately.
In conclusion, moderation in soda consumption is vital. Soda, particularly sugar-sweetened and cola types, may increase the risk of kidney stones due to the combined effects of fructose and phosphoric acid. Dehydration from excessive caffeine or inadequate fluid intake can also contribute to stone formation. Prioritize water, a balanced diet, and moderate weight to keep kidney stones at bay.
- Soda's ingredients, such as high fructose corn syrup, phosphoric acid, and caffeine, could increase the risk of kidney stones, a health-and-wellness concern associated with chronic-kidney-disease and other chronic-diseases.
- A kidney stone, a hard mass formed from chemicals in urine, may form if the fluid in urine cannot dilute these chemicals properly, and research suggests that high soda consumption might increase the risk compared to lower consumption.
- Phosphoric acid, common in cola drinks, acidifies the urine, promoting calcium phosphate stone formation, and chronic phosphoric acid intake from sodas can also decrease kidney function and increase the risk of kidney disease.
- Caffeine in soda may have a complex role; it can potentially increase kidney stone risk due to dehydration, but its diuretic properties might help reduce the risk of kidney stones when consumed in moderation.
- Prioritizing water, a crucial source of hydration, is recommended to dilute the chemicals in urine and reduce the risk of kidney stone formation as advised by the National Kidney Foundation.
- Consult a doctor immediately if experiencing symptoms like severe back pain, persistent abdominal pain, blood in the urine, nausea, fever, chills, or vomiting, as these could indicate kidney stones or other medical-conditions.
