kidney stones are one of the most painful urinary diseases, occurring when minerals such as calcium and oxalate converge, forming crystals in the kidneys.
Although the advice of drinking plenty of water is still considered the gold standard in preventing kidney stones, kidney experts say that only filtered water is not enough.
According to doctors, some drinks can directly affect the chemical composition of urine, thereby inhibiting the formation of stones from the very beginning.
Choosing the right drink, using it in reasonable doses, can significantly reduce the risk of recurrent kidney stones.
Lemon juice is the top recommended choice. Dr. Jayant K Hota, senior nephrologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital (New Delhi, India), said that fresh lemon juice is rich in citrate, which is a natural inhibitor of the formation of calcium oxalate stones, which account for more than 80% of cases.
Citrate binds to calcium in the urine, preventing calcium from combining with oxalate. Studies show that drinking lemon water regularly can increase urinary citrate by 2030%, and reduce the risk of stone recurrence by up to 87%.
Orange juice is also high in citrates, which help alkalimize urine, creating an unfavorable environment for stone crystals to grow.
A glass of orange juice about 240ml provides nearly 500mg of citrate. However, Dr. Haresh Dodeja ( fortis Hospital, Kalyan, India) warns people with diabetes to be cautious due to their high natural sugar content.
In addition, black coffee is carved with kidney stones. Contrary to popular concerns, research on more than 200,000 people shows that moderate coffee consumption reduces the risk of kidney stones by 1020%.
Coffee has a mild diuretic effect, increasing urine output, while polyphenols help inhibit the crystallization of calcium oxalate. Experts recommend drinking only 13 cups a day and limiting sugar and ice cream.
Green tea contains a lot of catechin, especially EGCG, a powerful antioxidant that can bind to free calcium in the urine, hindering the formation of stone sprouts.
Compared to black tea, green tea has a lower oxalate content, which is safer for people at risk of kidney stones. Many studies in Asia and Europe show that people who drink green tea regularly have a lower rate of kidney stones.
Coconut water is a natural solution suitable for hot climates. Rich in potassium and magnesium, coconut water helps increase urine volume and citrate levels without causing excess sodium.
Some new studies show that coconut water can reduce crystallization in urine by up to 4050% compared to filtered water.
In the long term, experts emphasize that understanding the type of kidney stone is very important. Not all drinks are suitable for everyone.
In addition, it is necessary to maintain 2.53 liters of urine per day, reduce salt, limit sugary drinks and combine a healthy lifestyle to effectively protect the kidneys.
(The article is for reference only, not a replacement for professional advice. Always consult a doctor or medical professional if you have any questions).
