Caffeine is naturally found in coffee and tea as well as chocolate. And it's added to sodas, energy drinks, pain relievers and other products, too. Though caffeine is generally harmless, it can negatively affect some people in the form of side effects such as jitters, headaches and stomach upset. However, it can also affect kidney function in some, especially those with pre-existing kidney issues.
Diuretic
Caffeine is a natural diuretic, meaning that it causes you to urinate more often. In fact, according to a study published in the "Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism" in 1997, having 642 mg of caffeine, which is the equivalent to six cups of coffee, can dramatically increase your urine output.
Dehydration
Since caffeine is a diuretic, it can also make you dehydrated. Dehydration is one of the primary causes of urinary tract problems including infections and cystitis. If left untreated, a urinary tract infection can travel to the kidneys and cause a severe infection.
Urinary Incontinence
Caffeine further affects the kidneys and the urinary tract by potentially increasing the risk of urinary incontinence. A study in "Obstetrics & Gynecology" in 2000 showed that consuming caffeine can increase the risk of women developing urinary incontinence, especially you consume 400 mg of caffeine a day or more.
Kidney Disease
Caffeine may worsen kidney damage caused by kidney disease, according to a study published in the "Journal of the American Society of Nephrology" in 2002. The study showed that people with polycystic kidney disease were likely to develop larger cysts because of caffeine intake, which can damage and impede proper kidney function.
References
- "Journal of the American Society of Nephrology"; The Effect of Caffeine on Renal Epithelial Cells from Patients With Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease; F.A. Belibi, et al.; November 2002
- "Obstetrics & Gynecology"; Dietary Caffeine Intake and the Risk for Detrusor Instability: A Case-Control Study; July 2000
- "The World of Caffeine"; Bennet Weinberg and Bonnie Bealer; 2001
