Kidney stones are like tiny stones made of calcium or uric acid that form inside your kidney. They can be big or small and have different shapes. Kidney stones can form when your urine contains too much calcium or uric acid, which makes it difficult for your kidneys to filter correctly.
These stones hurt a lot, and if you’ve had them, you’d know how badly you want to get rid of them fast. People often look for quick fixes, even in old stories and popular beliefs. One common idea is that drinking beer can help get rid of kidney stones. But is that real or just a myth? Before we talk about whether beer helps with kidney stones, many of you might be wondering if anyone has been cured by beer, if it’s scientifically proven, and how much beer one should drink if it does help. Let’s talk about it all below.
Does Beer Really Help Heal Kidney Stones?
Nope, drinking beer won’t help with kidney stones. Actually, it can make them worse. Beer has stuff called purines, which when broken down by your body, turn into uric acid. And guess what? Uric acid is what makes up kidney stones. So, drinking beer can up your chances of getting them.
Also, beer makes you pee more, and that means you might get dehydrated. And dehydration is a big reason why people get kidney stones. So, if you’re not drinking enough water, beer can make it more likely for you to get kidney stones.
Drinking Alcohol with Kidney Stones: What Happens?
Drinking beer may not be beneficial for kidney stones, but it is important to understand how alcohol affects the kidneys. When you consume alcohol, your body may lose water, which causes your kidneys to work harder. Kidneys require water to remove waste from your blood and produce urine. If there isn’t enough water, the kidneys struggle to function correctly.
Alcohol can also damage the kidneys by increasing blood pressure and decreasing blood flow to them. This might result in renal issues or possibly kidney failure in the long run.
So, if you have kidney difficulties or have previously had kidney stones, it is important to limit your alcohol consumption and drink enough of water throughout the day to maintain renal health.
What Can Cure Kidney Stones Quickly?
Drinking enough of water is the most effective way to help you pass kidney stones quickly. It helps to remove stones from the kidneys and urinary tract.
Even if you don’t have kidney stones, you can stop them from forming by drinking plenty of water every day. Water helps your kidneys stay clean and stops waste from building up, which can cause kidney stones. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water every day, and more if you live in a hot or dry place or if you’re very active physically.
Lemonade and orange juice are also good for preventing kidney stones because they have something called citrate in them. Citrate helps stop kidney stones from forming. But be careful with citrus drinks because they can have a lot of sugar and calories too.
Is It True That Kidney Stones Only Happen to Men?
No, it is not true that kidney stones only affect men. Both men and women can get kidney stones. However, men tend to have a slightly higher risk of getting kidney stones compared to women due to various factors such as differences in anatomy, hormones, and lifestyle.
References
- PSRI Hospital – https://psrihospital.com/ – Beer for Kidney Stones: Facts vs Myths
- Max Healthcare – https://www.maxhealthcare.in/ – Beer for Kidney Stones
- Dornier – https://www.dornier.com/ – Does beer help with kidney stones?
- DPU Super Specialty Hospital – https://dpuhospital.com/ – Is Beer Good for Kidney Stones?
