Kidney stones can cause severe pain, which may lead other unpleasant symptoms. Those who have experienced the pain claim that it is even worse than childbirth, so no wonder everyone wants to avoid it. There are some dietary habits that can help you to avoid kidney stones.
A kidney stone is a hard deposit of minerals and salts that forms in the kidneys. Its many causes include diet, excess weight, certain diseases, and certain dietary supplements and medications. It can affect any part of the urinary tract.
More and more women are affected by kidney stones
Passing a kidney stone can be quite painful, but usually does not cause permanent damage if detected early. In some cases, it is enough to take painkillers and drink a lot of water. However, in other cases, surgery may be necessary because, rarely, it can lead to complications such as kidney infection, urinary tract infection or even sepsis.
In the 1950s, this disease affected much more men than women, but now the number of female patients is also increasing, although there are still three times as many male patients as female patients.
The following foods can help you avoid the forming of kidney stones.
1. Consumption of citrus fruits
Regular consumption of citrus fruits such as lemons, limes and oranges is recommended, as well as drinks such as lemonade or lemon juice squeezed into water. Citric acid helps prevent crystallization of minerals in the kidneys. Choose low-sugar fruit juice, such as low-calorie orange juice. According to the latest research, too much sugar can actually contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
2. Increase calcium intake through legumes and nuts
1000-1200 IU of calcium per day helps to reduce the formation of kidney stones. This may seem paradoxical since calcium is a major component of most kidney stones, but over the years it has been observed that when patients were advised to reduce their calcium intake, it resulted in people developing more stones.
It turns out that calcium can help prevent kidney stones by binding oxalates (the other most common component of kidney stones) in the intestines, which are then excreted through the digestive system instead of through the kidneys and the rest of the urinary tract. Legumes and nuts are great sources of calcium.
3. Three good sources of protein: lentils, peas and beans
Everyone needs protein to stay healthy, and these three sources are good for people suffering from kidney stones. Non-vegetarian protein rich foods can increase the risk of kidney stones, so it is recommended to eat lentils, peas and beans as protein sources.
4. To reduce oxalate levels: rice and oats
Rice and oats are low oxalate foods. If you want to reduce the risk of developing kidney stones, you need to reduce the level of oxalate in your body. Rice and oats can be part of a low oxalate diet.
5. An excellent source of potassium: broccoli
Broccoli is also a low-oxalate food, and also a great source of potassium. Potassium is important because it binds calcium, which reduces the chance of stone formation. Potassium can also be involved in the dissolution of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate kidney stones.
+1. The cranberry juice myth
A popular misconception is that cranberry juice helps prevent kidney stones. Cranberry juice may help with urinary tract infections, although the evidence is not entirely clear about its benefits, but the juice may not help prevent kidney stones, as it does contain some citric acid, but it also can be high in sugar.