Tea is a big NO for those who suffer from kidney stones. This is because tea has very high oxalate content and oxalic acid aid in the forming of kidney stones. So, does tea cause kidney stones? The answer is yes, drinking too much tea can lead to the formation of kidney stones. However, recent studies prove that green tea may be consumed by those who suffer from kidney stones as it contains a compound that prevents kidney stones from being formed.
Kidney stones – How are they caused?
Kidney stones are formed when a very high content of calcium or other minerals get accumulated in the urinary tract and get clumped together, leading to painful stones. Symptoms include blood in urine, nausea, vomiting, fever and swelling in the kidneys. The most common kidney stone is made up of calcium oxalate.
Green tea and kidney stones – studies and findings
A study has recently claimed that for each cup of green tea consumed daily, women reduced the risk of having kidney stone by 8 percent. For men the risk would go down by as low as 14 percent. These findings however initially confused scientists, because they discovered that the level of calcium oxalate in urine had increased due to the consumption of green tea which basically meant a higher risk of kidney stone.
Later in their studies they were able to figure out that it was not just about the oxalate level but also about how it affects the crystal formation.
How green tea prevents formation of kidney stones
The extracts from green tea get bonded to calcium oxalate and the resulting crystalline takes a different shape, which prevents it from clumping together and forming kidney stones. The small crystals pass easily through urine. As per the study, the more green tea causes the calcium oxalate crystals to become flat and flatter crystals forms kidney stones that are less stable, which break up easily.
Research on the subject is still ongoing, though the findings thus far seem to indicate that green tea isn’t as bad for the kidneys as it was previously thought to be. But it should only be consumed after consultation with a renal specialist.
Here are a few FAQs about kidney stones and tea:
Is green tea good for kidneys?
Yes, green tea prevents the formation of kidney stones.
Can tea cause kidney stones?
Not all teas cause kidney stones. The ability for tea to cause kidney stones depend on the type of tea and the level of oxalate it contains.
Does iced tea cause kidney stones?
The answer is yes and it’s time to limit your consumption. Drinking too much of tea can cause kidney stones and even damage your liver because of its high concentration of oxalate.
What kind of tea causes kidney stones?
Mostly iced tea causes kidney stones because of its high concentration of oxalate.
Can you drink tea when you have kidney stones?
Tea should be avoided when suffering from kidney stones. While the most common cause of kidney stones is simply not drinking enough water, tea contains oxalates, the key chemical that also play a role in the formation of kidney stones.
Black tea and Kidney stones
Just like iced tea, even the consumption of too much black tea can increase your risk of developing kidney stones.
What is the ingredient in tea that causes kidney stones?
Oxalate is one of the key chemicals present in tea that leads to the formation of kidney stones.
Is tea bad for your kidneys?
While drinking too much of iced tea may damage your kidney, there are a few healthy teas that can work as kidney cleansing teas. Here are a few best teas for kidneys:
- Dandelion tea
- Nettle tea.
- Ginger and turmeric tea
- Green tea.
Drinking herbal tea for kidneys is also a good idea when you’re looking to detox your kidney.
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