Debunking Common Myths about Kidney Stones

🚫Beer does not dissolve kidney stones or help pass them. Drinking beer can actually create a backup of urine, increasing pressure and pain.

🍋Drinking lemon juice may provide some benefit in preventing kidney stone recurrence, but it requires drinking a large amount daily. Potassium or sodium citrate pills or alternative drinks like Moonstone may be more practical options.

🍵Tea, especially black tea, is believed to have a high oxalate content that can increase the risk of kidney stones. However, research suggests that this may not be a significant risk factor unless consumed in excessive amounts.

🥛Eating less calcium does not necessarily prevent calcium stones. In fact, reducing calcium intake may increase the risk of oxalate stones forming. Adequate calcium intake is important for preventing calcium stones.

🫒Olive oil does not grease the ureters or help pass kidney stones. This is a myth with no scientific basis.

What are the most common types of kidney stones?

—The most common types of kidney stones are calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones.

Does drinking beer help prevent or treat kidney stones?

—No, drinking beer does not prevent or treat kidney stones. In fact, drinking beer can worsen the symptoms and complications of kidney stones.

Can drinking lemon juice dissolve kidney stones?

—Drinking lemon juice may have some benefit in preventing kidney stone recurrence due to its citrate content. However, a large amount of lemon juice needs to be consumed daily, and alternative options like citrate pills or drinks may be more practical.

Is tea a risk factor for kidney stones?

—Tea, especially black tea, has been believed to have a high oxalate content that can increase the risk of kidney stones. However, recent research suggests that this may not be a significant risk factor unless consumed in excessive amounts.

Does eating less calcium help prevent calcium stones?

—No, eating less calcium does not prevent calcium stones. In fact, reducing calcium intake may increase the risk of oxalate stones forming. Adequate calcium intake is important for preventing calcium stones.

00:00Kidney stones are a common and painful condition that can lead to long-term kidney damage and hospitalizations.

02:23Dr. Blake Shusterman debunks five common myths about kidney stones: beer dissolves kidney stones, lemon juice cures kidney stones, tea increases the risk of kidney stones, eating less calcium helps prevent calcium stones, and olive oil helps pass kidney stones.

02:43Drinking beer does not dissolve kidney stones or help pass them.

04:31Drinking lemon juice may provide some benefit in preventing kidney stone recurrence, but it requires drinking a large amount daily. Alternative options like citrate pills or drinks may be more practical.

05:51Tea, especially black tea, is believed to have a high oxalate content that can increase the risk of kidney stones. However, research suggests that this may not be a significant risk factor unless consumed in excessive amounts.

06:58Eating less calcium does not necessarily prevent calcium stones. Adequate calcium intake is important for preventing calcium stones.

07:37Olive oil does not grease the ureters or help pass kidney stones. This is a myth with no scientific basis.