BUN is an abbreviation for blood urea nitrogen, a test that doctors use to measure your blood levels of a specific protein breakdown product. People with altered BUN levels may have ailments that include kidney disease, malnutrition or liver disease. Consumption of coffee will not lead to lowered BUN levels.
BUN Basics
When your body breaks down protein, your liver produces a waste substance called ammonia. Ammonia contains the element nitrogen, and this nitrogen combines with other elements — including hydrogen, carbon and oxygen — and triggers the formation of another waste product called urea. Normally, the urea in your liver then passes to your kidneys, where it gets removed from your bloodstream and eliminated in your urine. Doctors typically use a BUN test to detect elevated levels of urea nitrogen, which can indicate the presence of kidney damage or impaired kidney function.
Low BUN Level Causes
Abnormally low BUN levels do not commonly occur, according to the American Association for Clinical Chemistry’s Lab Tests Online. Potential causes of a low BUN reading include malnutrition, maintenance of a low-protein diet, liver failure and the presence of excessive amounts of fluid in your body. You can also experience unusual drops in urea nitrogen if you’re pregnant, use the medication streptomycin or use the medication chloramphenicol. While the conditions that lead to a low BUN level can have a significant adverse effect on your health, BUN testing is not typically used to monitor the presence or the effects on your body.
Coffee Consumption Risks
Coffee consumption is not as dangerous to your health as doctors and scientists once believed, MayoClinic.com reports. Still, it can come with some risks. If you drink unfiltered coffee, you can significantly increase your blood levels of cholesterol. Some people can’t efficiently break down the caffeine in coffee, and subsequently have increased risks for heart disease if they drink two or more cups of coffee per day. If you drink four or more cups of coffee a day, its caffeine content can trigger side effects that include a rapid heartbeat, muscle tremors, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, nervousness and an upset stomach.
Considerations
If you have impaired kidney function, consumption of too much fluid can trigger symptoms that include high blood pressure, swelling of your tissues and shortness of breath. To lighten the load on your kidneys, your doctor may ask you to restrict your intake of coffee and all other beverages or liquids, including water, tea, sodas, soups, alcohol and ice cubes. In some cases, people with significant kidney damage can produce normal BUN readings if one if their kidneys remains fully functional. Consult your doctor for more information on BUN testing and the potential consequences of coffee consumption.
References
- American Association for Clinical Chemistry - Lab Tests Online: BUN - The Test
- MedlinePlus: BUN - Blood Test
- MayoClinic.com; Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Test (Page 1); December 10, 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Coffee and Health - What Does the Research Say?; Donald Hensrud, M.D.; May 6, 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Caffeine - How Much Is Too Much? (Page 1); March 9. 2011
- Medical College of Wisconsin: Diet for Renal Patient
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