Eating fruits and vegetables may prevent recurring kidney stones, which can cause significant pain and link to chronic kidney disease, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease.
A dietary study conducted by the Mayo Clinic shows that consuming foods rich in potassium and calcium may prevent a second kidney stone episode.
The study compared the responses of 411 patients who had symptomatic kidney stones for the first time to a control group of 384 healthy people. The odds of developing a first-time symptomatic kidney stone increased with decreased fluid intake, low dietary potassium, calcium, and high caffeine and phytate level.
In a study, 73 participants who had experienced their first kidney stone had another episode within an average of 4.1 years. Again, the cause was found to be dietary, with those who consumed lower quantities of calcium and potassium more prone to developing kidney stones during the follow-up period.
In a press release, Andrew Rule, M.D., a Mayo Clinic nephrologist and the study’s senior author, stated that the dietary results are critical since the recommendations for preventing kidney stones are based on nutritional factors linked with initial stone formation than repeated occurrences. According to Rule, patients may be unwilling to change their diet to avoid a single episode of kidney stones, but they may be more inclined to do so if it can prevent a recurrence.
Not achieving the recommended daily fluid intake of approximately nine 12-ounce glasses may increase the risk of developing kidney stones, mainly if one consumes caffeinated beverages such as coffee and soft drinks frequently.
Researchers recommend a daily calcium intake of 1,200 milligrams to prevent initial and recurrent kidney stones, which aligns with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s daily nutritional guidelines. They also recommend an increase in potassium intake, but since the USDA does not provide a recommended daily amount.