The kidneys filter out waste products and excess fluid from the blood and produce urine. Urine contains a variety of substances, but when some of these compounds reach high concentrations, they crystallize out of solution. As the crystals aggregate, a hard stone is formed. Kidney stones block the urinary tract and may produce serious pain and other health problems. Certain foods will aggravate this condition in susceptible individuals. Red beets are one of the foods that can contribute to kidney stone formation.
Types
Kidney stones are classified by chemical composition and it is important to find out the type of stones your body produces. Different types of stones are treated with different medications and preventative measures. The most common type of stone contains calcium oxalate but other types of stones are made from struvite, uric acid and cystine. Red beets affect the formation of oxalate stones but not other types.
High Oxalate Foods
If you are susceptible to calcium oxalate stones, your doctor may recommend a low oxalate diet. This means you should keep your oxalate consumption to 40 to 50 mg each day. Oxalates are natural compounds that are found in plant-based foods. You can start by eliminating the six foods that significantly increase urinary oxalates. These are nuts, wheat bran, spinach, rhubarb, beets and chocolate. Both the beet roots and the greens are high in oxalate.
Other Oxalate-containing Foods
Red beets contain more than 10 mg of oxalate per serving and the oxalate is easily accessed by the body. Dark green, leafy vegetables are also high in oxalates, containing more than 10 mg per serving. Other foods that have similarly high oxalate levels include beans, carrots, celery, eggplant, leeks, okra, peppers, summer squash, berries, kiwi, concord grapes, currants and tangerines. Dark beer, cocoa, instant coffee and tea all contain more than 10 mg of oxalate per serving.
Other Prevention
Follow the diet recommended by your doctor. You may be told to reduce or eliminate red beets and other foods. The best prevention against kidney stones is to drink sufficient water every day to keep your urine well diluted. People with a tendency to develop kidney stones should drink 8 to 13 cups of fluid each day and more during periods of high temperatures or heavy exertion. Avoid calcium supplements and high doses of vitamin C as these can trigger stone formation. In addition, your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce the recurrence of kidney stones.
