What Food Causes Kidney Stones?

The problem of kidney stone is more common than we think. And the sad part is out of 100, 50% of people aren’t even aware of it which makes it a bigger problem. Kidney stones can lead to more severe kidney problems in the future if left untreated.

What is a kidney stone? 

The formation of hard deposits in the kidneys that travel through the urinary tract to exit the body is called kidney stones. The process can be really painful and is known as the passing of kidney stones. They occur when salts and minerals like calcium oxalate crystallize in the kidneys and form hard stones. It is calculi or urolithiasis.

Before knowing all about what food causes kidney stones, let’s take a quick look at the causes and symptoms of kidney stones. 

The major causes of kidney stones

• Too little fluid intake
• Chronic urinary tract infections
• Urinary tract blockage
• Misuse of certain medication
• Genetic and metabolic ailments
• Diet high in uric content

Symptoms of having kidney stones

Severe pain could be felt in kidneys and lower abdomen, which might move to the groin, nausea and vomiting, fever, chills and weakness, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, blood in urine, blocked flow of urine are some symptoms of having kidney stone.

Also Read: 8 Signs that you have Kidney Stones

Food causing kidney stones

Food plays a very important role in causing as well as eliminating certain risks of disease. Let’s have some useful insights about the food that causing kidney stones and hence the food that you need to avoid:

1. Too much salt:
   Too much salt consumption will raise sodium levels in the body and can promote calcium build-up. Always check the labels on packed and processed food to know the amount of sodium they contain. 

   

2. Food high in oxalates cause kidney stones:
   You need to be very wise in choosing food that contain oxalates as too much consumption of oxalates might result in kidney stones formation. Food high in oxalate are nuts, tea, chocolates, beets spinach, sweet potatoes, etc. You must avoid eating or limit the consumption of these foods as they majorly cause the formation of new kidney stones.

   Also Read: 10 Ways for Kidney Stone Treatment without Surgery

3. Animal protein intake:
   You need to lower your animal protein intake. Food such as red meat, pork, eggs, poultry, and fish increase the amount of uric acid you produce and lowers the amount of citrate in urine. Citrate’s job is to prevent the formation of kidney stones. Hence uric acid production has must be under check. So, it is better to avoid the excess consumption of these foods that can cause kidney stones.
   
   

4. Added sugars:
   Added sugars are sugars and syrups that are used in drinks and processed food can cause kidney stones. Keep an eye on the amount of sugar you consume with cakes, fruits, soft drinks, and juices. These foods can cause kidney stones when consumed in higher amounts. 

5. Carbonated drinks/Cola:
   Cola contains phosphate which can form kidney stones. Phosphate stone crystals form when the calcium atoms combine with phosphoric instead of oxalic acid and form calcium phosphate kidney stones. So, stay away from carbonated drinks to keep the troubles of kidney stones away.

   

6. Processed food:
   Phosphorus is a common additive and preservative that has the tendency to form kidney stones. You should read the labels of packed food and frozen food if it has some ingredients starting with ‘phos.’ As it indicated phosphorus which if consumed too much will cause kidney stones. So, refrain from too much-processed food to be safe from the kidney stones.   (Do You Know: How Dangerous are Processed food?)

7. High dosage of vitamin C supplements:
   When the body excretes vitamin C in excess quantity, it is in the form of oxalates which is a body waste product. Consuming too much vitamin C foods can cause kidney stones. It has the potential to increase the amount of oxalate in your urine which further increases the risk of forming kidney stones.
   

8. High-protein food:  Eating too much high protein causes kidney stones. The excess consumption of high-protein food causes the kidneys to excrete calcium in high amounts and hence increases the risk of kidney stones.Also Read: 20 Home Remedies for Kidney Stones

Conclusion

These are some food that should be consumed in a limit. If the following are consumed in excess quantity, they escalate the chances of kidney stones formation. Let’s have a concise look at a few tips to lower the risk of the kidney:

• Drink plenty of water. Keep yourself hydrated.
• Avoid food and drinks high in oxalates and phosphates. 
• Avoid alcohol or anything that dehydrates you.
• Drink citrus juices such as orange juice.
• Eat a calcium-rich meal three times a day.

So, above-mentioned are some effective tips on what food causes kidney stones. But if you notice or observe any symptom, one must always prefer consultation from a physician or medical practitioner for specific treatment recommendations. Make yourself aware of the food and such contents that might increase the uric acid formation of calcium formation which is the main cause for kidney stones.

Also Read: How to Treat Kidney Stones in a Day?