Limiting Iced Tea May Limit Kidney Stones in Men

Lipton lovers, beware! With gallons guzzled throughout the year and a guaranteed summer heat-beater, iced tea is the go-to refreshing soda substitute for many. With over 80 percent of the tea drank in the United States each year being iced tea, its popularity is growing with new tea infusions and more bottles being produced to keep up with demand. However, men need to beware, as new evidence suggests that iced tea can make them at higher risk for kidney stones. Lemonade, anyone?
The demographic being targeted for this new study are men over the age of 40 who hold a higher risk for kidney stones. Kidney stones are little crystals developed in the kidneys that travel through the urinary tract into the bladder causing extreme pain. Side effects of a kidney stone can include nausea and vomiting as well as added kidney pressure depending on the size and length of time it stays within the body blocking the flow of urine. Kidney stones affect about 10 percent of the population and while women aren’t immune, men are four times more at risk of developing them.
A recent news release by Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine’s urology department delved into the occurrence of Oxalate, a main chemical ingredient in the formation of stones within the kidneys, is also highly concentrated within iced tea. An instructor at Loyola, John Milner said, “For many people, iced tea is potentially one of the worst things they can drink and for people who have a tendency to form kidney stones, it's definitely one of the worst things you can drink." Experts contend that water is the best substance to drink to stave off dehydration, but if you’re looking for a little flavor, add a slice of lemons or simply make lemonade to jumpstart your taste buds. Milner continues his observations and explains why lemonade is a healthier alternative to iced tea, "Lemons are very high in citrates, which inhibit the growth of kidney stones," said Milner, "Lemonade, not the powdered variety that uses artificial flavoring, actually slows the development of kidney stones for those who are prone to the development of kidney stones."
Kidney stones have a higher concentration during summer months when heat and humidity are at their highest. Because dehydration is common when it’s hot out, the kidneys don’t have enough fluids to cleanse out of the body and the kidneys start slowing down causing deficiencies and a buildup of chemicals within the kidneys due to dehydration can form painful stones.
If you want to avoid kidney stones just follow these six steps to a healthier you. Keep hydrated with fluids to decrease saturation in your urine, the best fluids to drink are water and lemonade. Iced Tea and sodas are to be avoided because of their mineral (like Oxalate) content. High protein foods like spinach, nuts and rhubarb and high protein diets also contribute to stone formation, as well as an over-consumption (daily dose of over 1,000 milligrams) of vitamin C. High risk adults for kidney stones shouldn’t use large quantities of antacids. If you already have a stone or are prone to kidney stones, taking vitamin B and magnesium should help reverse the formation of new stones and lessen the pain of passing stones through your system.
Some men have likened the pain of kidney stones to child birth—and I’m sure there are women who would refute that claim—however I haven’t had the pleasure of having either a kidney stone or a child so I can’t weigh in. Even though my risk is significantly lower than the average middle-aged man, you can bet I will be refilling my water bottle and adding a lemon wedge from time to time just in case.