The world of energy drinks is a mysterious one, Right? Many will have a question in their mind that do energy drinks cause kidney stones? The experts swear by them, and the critics tend to warn people about their harmful effects.
Among many of the causes of kidney stones, Energy drinks are the leading one.
Table of Content
Kidney stones:
Kidney stones are the accumulation of small substances in kidneys like uric acid, oxalate, or cystine.
Kidney stones can vary in size, and it can be very painful to have a big one. These stones cause so much pain while passing, the situation becomes worse for the patient as these stones grow.
Following are only a few answers to your question; Do energy drinks cause kidney stones?
Do Energy Drinks Cause Kidney Stones?
You don’t want to damage your kidneys unintentionally. If that were to happen, you would need a kidney transplant. A kidney transplant is a very risky and costly procedure.
Energy drinks commonly available in the market usually contain the following substances;
- Caffeine
- Taurine
- Sugar
- Ginseng
Taurine(Taurine is an amino acid found in milk and meat. ) is said to have the most important role in kidney stones. Taurine is also known to have benefits in the athletic world.
High levels of taurine in human blood can cause chronic kidney disease such as Kidney stones.
However, it is not confirmed if ingestible taurine is found in most of the energy drinks enough to cause kidney problems.
Does coffee cause kidney stones?
Another question that might run through your mind that does coffee cause kidney stones? Well, here’s the answer to your question.
Even when there are no medical conditions related to kidneys, some cases might have to be moderated when taking coffee. One such scenario is that in which people form kidney stones.
Oxalate stones are the most familiar type of stones occurring in kidneys, and some of the primary sources of oxalate in our diet are coffee, tea, and certain energy drinks.
If you are having any type of kidney stones, You should monitor your caffeine consumption.
Dehydration and kidney stone development:
Dehydration can be the cause of uric acid stones forms inside the kidney. Additionally, a high protein diet and genetic disorder can also be the cause of kidney stones.
Energy drinks are rich in caffeine, and if you drink much, you might get dehydrated and increase the risk of kidney stone development.
Here’s why?
Caffeine naturally acts as a diuretic that will make you urinate. That’s why everyone tells you to limit your caffeine uptake if you don’t want your sleep to be disturbed. And frequent urination can ultimately lead to dehydration.
When you become dehydrated, your urine becomes concentrated and leaves behind minerals that accumulate and form kidney stones. So, avoid using such drinks.
To minimize the risk of kidney stones; Drink at least 8 glasses of water to flush out stone-making minerals and acidic salts. Otherwise, these minerals and salts will accumulate in the excretory system and cause kidney stones.
Alternatives To Energy Drinks:
If all of your favorite drinks contain are harmful to your kidneys, then you might be wondering about the alternatives for them. If you are confused about what to consume to feel energized without getting you into trouble, this list will help you find one.
Here’s the list of such alternatives for you:
Green tea:
Consume it hot or cold, and it will taste good either way. If you want to quench the thirst for caffeine without compromising your health, then green tea could be a good option. You can add other ingredients such as lemon slices and raw honey to enhance its taste. Green tea is one of the best alternatives to energy drinks. It keeps you energized as well as contains antioxidants that assist you with weight loss. You can enjoy it each day without any health concerns.
Ginger root tea:
Ginger root tea is a kind of beverage you want to have to improve health and stay energized. It’s great to have in the morning while starting your day. The ginger flavor is a bit strong to some people, so that you can add lemon slices, organic honey, and even mint leaves.
Black Coffee:
You must be wondering why I added coffee to my list? Black coffee isn’t harmful as it doesn’t contain all those unhealthy ingredients like sugar and creamer. You can add almond milk or stevia if you want to give some flavor to it.
If you are thinking of switching from energy drinks to black coffee, make sure to maintain its consumption. If you overdo it, black coffee will have the same effects as energy drinks.
However, like every other product you use to energize yourself, excess energy drinks are always bad. If we seek natural ways of well-being and holistic health, energy drinks rich in sugar and caffeine content are not even close. But when consumed every now and then, they are unlikely to cause any long-term damage.
FAQs
Can monster energy drinks cause kidney stones?
Energy drinks are rich in caffeine; they can dehydrate you if consumed a lot. Drinking soda or energy drink, both can cause kidney problems.
Can coffee cause kidney stones?
High caffeine intake could potentially increase the risk of kidney stones because high caffeine intake has been associated with a high level of calcium excretion.
What are the alternatives to energy drinks?
Best alternatives for energy drinks are green tea, ginger root tea, Black coffee, etc.
How can you treat kidney stones formed by energy drinks?
You can start by minimizing the uptake of energy drinks and consult a Urologist about your concern.
Book an appointment now, to answer all your queries. You can book an appointment with the top urologist in Karachi through Marham by calling at Marham helpline: 0311-1222398 or by online booking facility through the website or Marham mobile app.
Can’t Find The App?
Android Users:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=controllers.marham.marhammed&hl=en
Drop a review for us at Playstore if you’ve had a good experience!
iPhone Users:
https://apps.apple.com/pk/app/marham-find-a-doctor/id1095243102
Stay Home. Stay Safe!
