5 Types Food That Can Trigger Kidney Stones, You Must Limit Their Consumption
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- Kidney stones or nephrolithiasis is a disease caused by a buildup of minerals and salts in the kidneys. This condition can be triggered by unhealthy eating patterns, such as consuming food or drinks that contain certain chemical compounds.
Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, the buildup of minerals and salts in the kidneys can cause the formation of rough deposits. These deposits can block the urinary tract and cause symptoms, such as pain when urinating. Types of kidney stones are differentiated based on the chemical substance that triggers them, including:
Calcium oxalate kidney stones
Calcium phosphate kidney stones
Struvite kidney stones
Cystine kidney stones
Uric acid kidney stones
These chemicals can come from food or drinks consumed daily. So, what foods can trigger kidney stones? Quoted from various sources, the following is the discussion.
1. Foods High in Oxalates
Okasalate is a compound that is found in many natural sources, such as fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Normally, oxalate functions to bind minerals so that they are more easily digested and distributed throughout the body.
But in excessive amounts, oxalate can increase the risk of forming kidney stones. Foods high in oxalate that need to be limited in consumption include:
Spinach
Almonds
Miso soup
Cocoa powder
Okra
Sweet potato
French fries
Steamed potatoes with skin
Beets
Rhubarb or red rhubarb
2. Foods high in salt
Eating foods high in salt can increase the amount of sodium in the body. Sodium levels that are too high can cause various health problems, including kidney stones.
Here are several types of foods that contain high salt:
Canned foods, such as beans or canned vegetables
Processed foods, such as pizza and chips
Marinated foods, such as ham and pepperoni
Fast food
3. Foods that contain animal protein
Animal protein is an important nutrient to support cell growth and strengthen the body's immune system. But if consumed excessively, animal protein can also increase the risk of kidney stones.
Foods high in animal protein that need to be limited to prevent kidney stones include:
Beef
Chicken meat
Egg
Seafood
Pork
Cheese
4. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a micronutrient that plays an important role in forming the immune system. However, excessive intake of vitamin C can increase the risk of forming kidney stones.
The reason is, high vitamin C can encourage the body to produce more oxalate. As mentioned previously, oxalate is one of the chemical compounds that can trigger kidney stones.
Try to maintain your vitamin C intake and not consume more than 500 milligrams a day.
5. Soda Drinks
Carbonated drinks, such as soda, are very high in fructose. Fructose can make the body excrete more calcium, oxalate and uric acid into the urine. This can increase the risk of kidney stone formation.