Your diet can influence the formation of kidney stones. Doctors recommend increased fluid intake to reduce the recurrence of kidney stones, but do not specify the types of beverages. Because caffeine is widely consumed in coffee, tea, soda and food, researchers set out to understand the effects caffeine may have on kidney stone production.
Kidney Stone Causes
Kidney stones form when your urine contains substances that collect and form deposits. Stones begin in the kidneys, but may pass into the ureters that connect the kidney to the bladder. Stones may block the ureter and cause severe swelling and resulting pain in the back. If the stone is in the bladder, you may experience lower abdominal pain.
Effects of Coffee
A study at the Harvard School of Public Health Department of Nutrition was designed to determine the effects of certain beverages on kidney stone formation. The researchers recorded the beverage intakes of 45,289 men who had no history of kidney stone formation. They found that drinking caffeinated coffee resulted in a 10 percent reduction of kidney stone formation. Decaffeinated coffee produced a similar reduced risk, so the effect may be from other substances in coffee, not necessarily caffeine intake. However, this study supports the idea that caffeine is not likely to increase the risk of kidney stone formation.
Effects of Tea
Teas, also widely consumed caffeinated beverages, may have an effect on kidney stone formation. A study published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" involved 81,093 women whose beverage intakes were recorded to find a relationship with kidney stone formation. After eight years of follow up, researchers found that those who drank tea had a 59 percent reduction in kidney stone formation.
Recommendations
Caffeine has not been shown to increase the risk of kidney stone production. You can consume caffeine safely and in moderation without worrying about it increasing your risk for kidney stones. Follow your doctors orders and drink plenty of fluid on a daily basis to prevent kidney stone formation. Let your doctor know early if you feel a kidney stone has formed in your urinary tract.
