MYTH REGARDING KIDNEY STONES AND BEER CONSUMPTION

Kidney stones are calcium or uric acid crystal deposits in the kidney and vary in size and shape. Let’s look at the facts and debunk the myths associated with the use of beer for kidney stones.

Can Beer Cause Kidney Stones?

Though the direct relationship between kidney stones and beer has not been established yet, it can have indirect effects.

1. Dehydration : Prolonged beer intake can cause dehydration, thus increasing the risk of kidney stones.

2. Obesity : Beer consumption can increase your weight. Being overweight (obesity) is yet another risk factor for kidney stones.

3. Uric acid : Beer contains constituents that can increase uric acid in your body, thus increasing the risk of uric acid crystals in the kidney.

Alcohol and Kidney Stones

1. It has not been proven that drinking beer directly causes kidney stones; nevertheless, there is evidence that drinking beer can indirectly impact the condition.
2. Consuming beer over a prolonged period can lead to dehydration, which raises the chance of developing kidney stones.
3. Beer drinking has been linked to an increased risk of obesity. Another factor that can increase your likelihood of developing kidney stones is being overweight or obese.
4. Uric acid is known for regulating uric acid levels in the body, which raises the probability of stones in the kidneys.

Myth- Does Beer Helps in Passing Kidney Stones

1. Yes, beer is a diuretic, and it does help in passing more urine, thus excreting out small stones. But the catch here is that stones of size more than 5 mm cannot be excreted out of the body in this way because the exit passage is just around 3mm.
2. If you take beer when you are in pain or are unable to pass urine, it can make your situation miserable because the beer will produce more urine you cannot expel, thus making it very painful.
3. Prolonged intake of beer can cause high oxalates (one of the constituents of kidney stones) and dehydration.
4. Beer contains alcohol that can harm your liver. Don’t you think causing liver damage is too expensive to pass a kidney stone?