Many people pay little attention to kidney health, and by choosing certain drinks, they may increase the risk of forming kidney stones.

While sufficient liquid intake is one of the most important ways of prevention, experts warn that a folk drink can have a opposite effect if overconsumed, writes Parade.

How do kidney stones form?

Kidney stones occur when the concentration of certain substances in the urine becomes so high that they begin forming crystals.

In time, these crystals can grow on stones, explains urologist Dr. Graham Bobo of LCMC Health.

Urologist Dr. The most common stones are made up of calcium osalatium. They form when occults, present in foods such as spinach, nuts, and chocolate, are related to calcium in hunger.

There are also uric acid stones, which most frequently occur among people who do not drink enough fluids, consume many animal proteins, or have health problems like podagra and diabetes.

According to Dr. Patel, inadequate water intake is one of the most important risk factors for almost all kinds of kidney stones. When urine is very concentrated, minerals crystallize more easily and form stones.

Who is more at stake?

Some people are more likely to develop kidney stones. Urologists report that this problem occurs more frequently in men, although gender distinction is gradually decreasing.

Family history also plays an important role. If parents, brothers, or sisters had kidney stones, the danger is higher.

People who have already had this health problem are also more likely to have it again.

The site of residence could also affect the danger. People living in hot, damp areas lose more fluids through perspiration, making them more sensitive to dehydration.

Obezity, a diet rich in salt and animal protein, as well as certain diseases, such as podags and inflammatory intestine disease, can also contribute to the formation of stones.

What symptoms show a kidney stone?

Kidney stones cannot always cause symptoms. If they remain inside the kidney, the person often has no problems, so the problem is revealed by chance during an examination of other medical conditions.

However, when the stone begins to move from kidney to bladder, it can cause extremely severe pain.

The pain usually comes unexpectedly, it’s intense and it comes with waves. More often it starts on the back or on one side of the body and can spread toward the hips.

They may also manifest mixed feelings, frequent urination, or a sudden need to urinate.

If the pain is accompanied by fever or trembling, you need to seek medical help as soon as possible, since this may indicate a kidney infection.

A Popular Drink That Can Increase Risk

While hydration is the key to prevention, it does not matter what fluid we drink.

Urologists warn that excessive consumption of iced tea, especially black tea, can increase the risk of kidney stones.

The reason is the high content of osalates, substances that participate in the creation of the most common type of kidney stone.

According to Dr. Patel, black tea, which is the basis of most iced teas, contains relatively high amounts of otsalats.

Moderate consumption, up to two cups a day, according to experts, should not generally be a problem, but larger amounts can increase the risk, especially in people who are already prone to rock formation.

It is important to note that the danger is not limited to sugar. Cold sugarless tea also contains osalate.

Experts point out, however, that there is no reason to eliminate this drink completely from the diet. Some studies even indicate that moderate consumption of black tea can be accompanied by a lower risk of forming stones.

One way to reduce the potential risk is to add lemon to your tea. The lemon’s certra can help connect calcium to urine, reducing the possibility of forming calcium osalat crystals.

Dr. Patel also warns against grapefruit juice, whose regular consumption in some major studies is accompanied by a growing risk of kidney stones. However, the reasons for this relationship have not yet been fully clarified.

Experts conclude that adequate water intake, a balanced diet, and moderate consumption of various beverages are among the most important measures for kidney health.