How much coffee should you drink to prevent kidney stones?
Starting each day with 1-2 cups of coffee may reduce the risk of various diseases including kidney stones, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.
According to research published in the journal Advances in Nutrition, kidney stones are crystalline deposits that form in the kidneys when urine contains too many minerals and other chemicals. However, drinking certain fluids that increase urine volume may help prevent kidney stone formation.
Coffee, being a diuretic, certainly meets the above criteria. However, consuming too much caffeine is also associated with increased calcium excretion in urine, which can make people more susceptible to kidney stones.
An analysis published in Frontiers in Nutrition assessed the relationship between caffeine consumption and kidney stone risk in over 30,000 people with a history of kidney stones. The study results showed a link between caffeine consumption and a reduced risk of developing kidney stones.
This link is most evident in women and those who are not overweight. In particular, coffee has been found to reduce the risk of kidney stones more effectively than other caffeinated foods and beverages.
A previous study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also yielded similar results. In that study, the authors identified a link between caffeine consumption and a reduced risk of kidney stones. The researchers analyzed data from three other studies. According to their findings, those who consumed the most caffeine had a 26% lower risk of developing kidney stones.
Although scientists have found a stronger correlation between caffeinated coffee and a reduced risk of kidney stones, caffeine may not be the only contributing factor. Other contributing factors include the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of coffee, as well as its high magnesium content. However, evidence regarding a potential link between magnesium and kidney stone risk remains limited.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), if you want to add coffee to your daily diet for the benefit of your urinary system, remember not to consume more than 400mg of caffeine per day (equivalent to 4 cups of coffee). Maintaining a healthy weight and drinking plenty of water are other ways to reduce the risk of developing kidney stones.
Some dietary changes can also be helpful, such as reducing meat, salt, or peanuts. According to the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the DASH diet is more likely to reduce the risk of kidney stones. DASH emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, nuts, fish, lean meats, and unsaturated fats. This diet is high in calcium, fiber, potassium, and magnesium, while low in total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.