What foods to eat and what to avoid if you have kidney stones

Although fluids are said to be extremely important for those who have kidney stones, it is more important to consume the right ones. Research shows that soda drinks such as colas contain phosphoric acid, which enhances your risk of kidney stone formation. Therefore, you should avoid sodas to help reduce the recurrence of stones.

Wheat bran is rich in oxalates, hence it should be avoided if you have kidney stones. High oxalate in urine raises your risk for getting stones more than high calcium in urine. Research has also shown that foods rich in oxalates increase stone formation in kidneys. Instead, you can opt for oat bran flakes in your diet.

Legumes, lentils or daal are although a great food for the heart and diabetic patients but lentils also contain phytates (antioxidant compounds that bind to minerals like iron or zinc and less of calcium and slow their absorption), potassium, phosphorous, purines and oxalates that support stone formation in kidneys. One serving of lentils is known to provide 50 milligrams of oxalate, which is not recommended to a person susceptible to kidney stones. 

Peanuts are rich in oxalate content. Research has reported the deposition of calcium oxalates stones induced by high intake of peanuts. However, high intake of peanuts has also been reported to have led to kidney damage. Additionally, a few studies are have described peanuts taken along with binge drinking to cause oxalate nephropathy (damage of the kidney resulting in kidney failure).

Beetroot is rich in oxalates that are known to cause kidney stones. So if you already have kidney stones, you shouldn't be taking beets at all, as it may cause your urine oxalates to get excreted and calcium oxalates to get increased and aggravate the problem. You should also refrain from having beet juice.

Spinach, although a very good source of proteins, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water,is also rich in oxalates. When consumed, oxalates bind to calcium in body and influence the growth of calcium oxalate stones. This may increase urinary oxalate excretion. Furthermore, spinach, being an alkaline food increases the urinary pH and may add to stone problems.

Soybeans are rich in oxalates. Excess consumption of soybeans may hence lead to kidney stone formation if an inadequate amount of fluids or calcium are consumed along with it. A study investigated the effect of avoidance of soybean and its products in patients with kidney stones. It was found to cause a significant decrease in urinary oxalate This gives reason enough to avoid soybean.

Chocolates, being rich in oxalates, stimulate the formation of calcium oxalates in kidneys. As oxalate is a metabolic end product and is passed unaltered in urine, nutritionists suggest a low-oxalate diet to patients with calcium oxalate stones in their kidneys.

Moreover, chocolates have high amounts of potassium and phosphorous that are not recommended for patients with kidney diseases. Hence, you should avoid having chocolates if you suffer from kidney stones.

Purine-rich diets (meat, fish and poultry) may influence the formation of kidney stones, as per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. This is because high animal protein triggers calcium oxalate (calcium stones) formation in kidneys. Ingestion of these foods along with inadequate intake of fluids increases the risk of stone formation. You may want to consider plant proteins instead of animal proteins if you have kidney stones.

Sodium regulates the formation of kidney stones, therefore it adds to crystal deposition if taken in high amounts. The salt that we add to our food contains sodium, so try and avoid excessive intake of salt. also. Taking high sodium diet may lead to an increment in the levels of calcium in your urine, which in turn triggers the formation of kidney stones. 

A study conducted by the University of Texas demonstrated that crystallization of calcium salts occur with a high sodium diet intake.

Salted nuts, chillies, and canned beans are some sodium-rich foods.

Aloe vera has much potential in the management of kidney stones. The citrate and tartare present in aloe vera gel make it ideal for preventing and dissolving calcium oxalate crystals in kidneys, as evidenced by various researchers.

Although, according to the National Institute of Health, aloe vera is hard on kidneys and may lead to kidney disease. So, you should always consult your doctor before taking any such remedy.

Baking soda brings down the acidic levels in body. This further aids in dissolving kidney stones that block renal tubes. Baking soda also helps to maintain pH balance and prevent further crystal formation in kidneys. A research study established that sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) can be an effective treatment against kidney stone formation.

Coriander or dhaniya is rich in phytonutrients and is known for its antioxidant activity. It is a natural diuretic, which helps in naturally cleansing the kidneys and in dissolving kidney stones. In Ayurveda, coriander juice is known to possess diuretic property and effective in the disintegration of kidney stones, gallstones and urinary tract stones.

Watermelon is rich in potassium that helps in maintaining urine acidic levels in body. Besides, watermelon has high amounts of water that help in flushing out toxins and in removing kidney stones and crystals. One study mentioned watermelon as a natural source of dietary citrate, which brings down urine citrate levels, reducing oxidative stress in kidneys and preventing kidney stone formation.

Tulsi or holy basil, which is a common herb used in most Indian kitchens, contains a good amount of acetic acid, which is known to help dissolve kidney stones. Besides, tulsi leaves have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which make them a good choice to maintain kidney health. Researchers have shown that tulsi extract is helpful in the disintegration of kidney stones.

Pomegranate juice is highly rich in antioxidants such as ascorbic acid and polyphenolic flavonoids. These qualities of pomegranate help to lower acidic levels and improve the overall kidney function. A research study demonstrated the protective effects of pomegranate juice against crystal deposition in kidney tubes. An in-vivo study found reduced crystal formation in kidneys owing to the oxidative activities of pomegranate juice.

Nettle leaf or bichu buti is a good source of vitamins A, C and E. Being rich in proteins, calcium, folic acid, flavonoids, saponins and polysaccharides, these leaves help to dissolve kidney stones. A study has shown that treatment with nettle leaves dissolve calcium oxalate crystal deposits and hence prevent kidney damage. It was also suggested to help maintain urinary pH.

The acetic and citric acid found in apple cider vinegar helps to soften, dissolve or break down kidney stones. Research has shown that increased consumption of ACV led to a lesser risk of kidney stone formation. Another study demonstrated that regular use of apple vinegar reduced oxidative stress and lipid levels in kidneys. This proves the benefits of ACV in dissolving and preventing kidney stones.

Radish juice is rich in vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, iron, phosphorous, digestive enzymes and fibre. Its use in detoxification of the body and treating kidney stones has been well recognised. A study conducted to determine the effect of radish on kidney stones found that kidney stones start to dissolve as urine oxalate levels drop. An increase in radish consumption increased the excretion of calcium oxalates, facilitating the removal of stones.

(Read more: iron deficiency symptoms)

Lemons are highly rich in vitamin C or citric acid. Citrate, a salt present in the citric acid, binds to calcium deposits and helps block stone formation. A study suggested that citrate may prevent the aggregation of bigger crystals from the small crystals already present. 

Mix 3 spoons of lemon juice with 1 litre of water. Include this in your total fluid intake. This may help increase citrate in your urine and lower the risk of kidney stone formation.

(Read more: How much water to drink in a day)