Do you rely on energy drinks to help you get through your day? You may have begun to rely on a few of these beverages each day to make you feel energetic when you're weary and sluggish after drinking one of these drinks. While they will seem like something you need to get your day off on the right foot, energy drinks aren't beneficial for you, especially in excess. You will face health issues by drinking them.
In our sleep-deprived culture, energy drinks are a healthy option, and they claim to provide instant energy in a delicious package. But are energy drinks healthy? Do energy drinks induce kidney stones? Only a few solutions to your problem are listed below.
Do Energy Drinks Cause Kidney Stones?
The following ingredients are typically found in energy drinks:
- Caffeine
- Taurine
- Sugar
- Ginseng
Taurine, an amino acid in milk and meat, plays a crucial role in kidney stone formation. Taurine is also well-known for its sporting benefits.
Chronic kidney illnesses, such as kidney stones, can be caused by high amounts of taurine in the blood. Kidney stones are the buildup of tiny substances in the kidneys, such as uric acid, oxalate, or cysteine. They can be slight or significant, and having a large one can be very painful. Because these stones cause so much discomfort while passing, the patient's situation worsens as the stones grow larger.
However, it is unknown if the amount of ingestible taurine in most energy drinks is sufficient to initiate kidney problems.
Kidney Stone Development
Uric acid stones can occur in the kidneys as a result of dehydration. Kidney stones can also be caused by a high-protein diet and a hereditary condition.
Energy drinks are high in caffeine, and if you drink too many of them, you risk becoming dehydrated and developing kidney stones.
Caffeine is a natural laxative, meaning it makes you pee. That's why, if you don't want your sleep to be disturbed, you should minimize your caffeine intake. In addition, excessive urination might contribute to dehydration.
When you're dehydrated, your urine concentrates, leaving minerals behind that can build up and form kidney stones. So, stay away from such beverages.
You must drink minimum 8 glasses of water every day to flush away stone-forming minerals and acidic salts and reduce the chance of kidney stones. These minerals and salts will build up in the excretory tract and form kidney stones if not removed.
What Are The Symptoms Of Kidney Stones
It's normal to go years without noticing you have a kidney stone. However, if it becomes pretty significant, you may have symptoms. Symptoms of a kidney stone include:
Pain at the side of your body. This discomfort may begin as mild discomfort that comes and goes, and it can also develop chronic, requiring a hospital visit.
- Nausea or vomiting as an outcome of the pain
- Notice blood in your urine
- Urinating causes you pain
- Inability to urinate
- Urinating more frequently than usual.
- Chills or a fever
- Urine that smells foul or seems hazy.
- Smaller kidney stones may not produce pain or other symptoms and are excreted in your urine
Drinks That Help In Treatment Of Kidney Stones
These drinks are said to aid in the removal of kidney stones:
Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice can help save you from urinary tract infections, but it won't help you get rid of kidney stones.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Vinegar is acidic, and it can cause changes in your urine, which can aid in removing kidney stones. However, this isn't always the case.
Lemon Juice
Citrate is abundant in lemon juice, which can help avoid kidney stones from developing. Citrates can be found in lemons, limes, oranges, and melons, among other citrus fruits.
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Coffee
Coffee has been shown in studies to reduce the risk of kidney stones.
Avoid soda and other high-fructose corn syrup energy drinks. They put you at greater risk.
How To Prevent Kidney Stones?
There are various things you may do to lower your risk of kidney stones, including:
- Staying hydrated encourages you to urinate more frequently, which helps "flush out" the compounds that form kidney stones.
- Consume less salt.
- If you face an issue of being overweight, try to shed some pounds by consulting a dietitian for assistance in meal planning.
- Some drugs to help avoid kidney stones may be prescribed by your doctor.
Conclusion
Excessive energy drinks are never a good idea, and energy drinks high in sugar and caffeine are unlikely to cause long-term harm. Start reducing your intake of energy drinks by switching to green tea, ginger root tea, black coffee, and other alternatives, and talk to a urologist about your concerns.
Please book an appointment with the Best Nephrologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03100002273 to find the verified doctor for your disease.