Is your favorite brew causing more harm than good? Does Drinking Beer Cause Kidney Stones? Learn the answers to all your questions!
Does drinking beer cause kidney stones? Should you sip or skip? Let’s find out if your favorite drink is really to blame for those pesky stones in your kidneys. So, get ready for a surprising investigation into your drink of choice.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Before we get to beer, you should know exactly what kidney stones are. They are tiny rock formations that develop in your kidneys due to high concentrations of certain substances in your urine, such as calcium oxalate and uric acid.
When these substances clump together, they can form solid masses ranging from the size of a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball, which might be pretty surprising to you. These stones can be incredibly painful as they travel through your urinary tract.
Types Of Kidney Stones
1. Calcium Oxalate Stones
These are the most common types of kidney stones. They form when there is too much oxalate in the urine. Oxalate is a substance that is produced by the liver and is also found in some foods, such as spinach, chocolate, nuts, and soy products.
High doses of vitamin D, intestinal bypass surgery, and certain metabolic disorders can increase the oxalate level in the urine.
2. Calcium Phosphate Stones
These are less common than calcium oxalate stones. Calcium phosphate stones form when the urine is too alkaline (has a high pH).
This can happen in people with certain medical conditions, such as renal tubular acidosis, or in people who take certain medications, such as those for migraines or seizures.
3. Struvite Stones
These are also known as infection stones because they are often associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs).
The bacteria that cause UTIs produce ammonia, which makes the urine more alkaline and allows struvite crystals to form. Struvite stones can grow very large and cause serious problems.
4. Uric Acid Stones
These form when the urine is too acidic (has a low pH). This can happen in people who have a high-protein diet, gout, or certain genetic disorders that affect how the body breaks down purines. Purines are compounds found in animal products, such as meat, poultry, and fish.
Does Drinking Beer Cause Kidney Stones?
The relationship between drinking beer and kidney stone formation isn’t straightforward. While moderate alcohol consumption, including beer, has been linked to a lower risk of kidney stones in some studies, going overboard can have the opposite effect.
Beer contains purines, which can hike up uric acid levels and potentially lead to uric acid kidney stones in certain individuals.
Plus, drinking too much alcohol can dehydrate you, a known risk factor for kidney stones. So, while an occasional brewski in moderation might not significantly up your stone risk, it’s best to steer clear of excessive drinking and chronic dehydration to keep those kidneys happy.
So, can drinking beer cause kidney stones? No. Can drinking a lot of beer cause kidney stones? Absolutely!
Does Drinking Root Beer Cause Kidney Stones?
While both root beer and beer are beverages, they differ. Beer is alcoholic and made from fermented grains, and root beer is a non-alcoholic soft drink flavored with root bark extract.
The primary aspect of beer that can cause health issues is alcohol, which can lead to dehydration and other problems. However, root beer, being non-alcoholic, does not pose such risks.
Kidney stones typically form due to dehydration, diet, and certain medical conditions. Root beer contains no substances that can cause or increase kidney stone formation. Best not to have too much of it, though. Many sodas and beverages affect kidney stone risk.
How To Cure Kidney Stones?
The treatment for kidney stones depends on the size, type, and location of the stones but here are four ways to cure them.
1. Drinking Water
Drinking enough water to produce clear or nearly clear urine can help flush out the substances that can form stones. It can also help pass small stones or prevent new ones from forming. You should make it a habit to drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water every day.
2. Medication
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help pass your kidney stone or prevent new ones from forming. For example, alpha-blockers or calcium channel blockers can relax the muscles in your ureter and make it easier to pass the stone.
3. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
ESWL uses sound waves to break up large stones into smaller pieces that can be passed through the urine. It is usually done under sedation or anesthesia and may cause some bruising or discomfort, but it is a highly effective remedy for severe kidney stone cases.
4. Dietary Changes
Depending on your type of stone, your doctor may recommend some dietary changes to reduce the risk of recurrence. You might need to limit your sodium, oxalate, animal protein, or purines intake and increase your calcium, potassium, or citrate intake. You may also need to take supplements or vitamins to correct any imbalances in your urine.
Precautions To Consider
- Drinking too much beer can lead to dehydration and increases the risk of stone formation.
- Avoid processed foods, fast foods, canned foods, and salty snacks as they have high sodium content, which can increase the amount of calcium in the urine and promote stone formation.
- Animal protein can increase uric acid and calcium levels in the urine, which can increase the risk of uric acid and calcium oxalate stones. So avoid eating red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
- Beer can interfere with medications for kidney stones, so if you are taking any medicines, you should avoid drinking beer.
However, if you’re following simpler treatments like changes in diet, an occasional beer might be beneficial in getting rid of the stones. Do let us know how it goes for you in the comments below!