Does Herbal Tea Cause Kidney Stones?
Contrary to what some may think, tea does not cause kidney stones; in fact, it may help prevent them! Kidney stones are small crystals that form in either your kidneys or ureters – the tubes that carry urine from kidneys to bladder. While these crystals usually leave your body through expulsion or lodge themselves within your ureter, kidney stones typically develop due to high concentrations of oxalate found in spinach, chocolate and rhubarb as well as eating a diet high in salt which increases risk.
But you might be surprised to learn that common tea varieties such as green, black, oolong and white tea contain low levels of oxalates; herbal teas generally boast even lower oxalate counts than many vegetables and many fruits! An exception would be rooibos tea which does contain some oxalates; however if consumed moderately this should not pose any significant problems.
If you are concerned about kidney stone risk, consult with a urologist or nephrologist for additional advice. They can give tailored suggestions based on your unique circumstances; while during this conversation be sure to share any medical conditions you suffer from or medications or supplements you are currently taking.
Experts generally advise drinking plenty of fluids to prevent kidney stones. Though genetic predisposition exists for some individuals, most who become affected have family histories or medical conditions which increase their risk, as well as additional factors like having an fatty acid deficiency, overeating protein or being overweight that place them at increased risk.
Even with all of the concerns that may have been expressed about drinking tea and herbal teas in general, they remain healthy beverages for most people. Herbal teas tend to contain lower oxalates than coffee while caffeine acts as a natural diuretic, encouraging frequent urination to decrease risk. Furthermore, drinking plenty of water hydrates your body while encouraging excretion of oxalates from your system.
If you are concerned about kidney stones, speaking to a physician for more advice is strongly advised. They will tailor specific dietary advice based on your unique circumstances; but in general they recommend limiting intake of high oxalate foods like oranges and lemonade which contain citrate – an anti-kidney stone substance – as well as drinking plenty of water and eating protein moderately. They will likely also advise against drinking iced tea which increases risk by increasing absorption rates of oxalate by the body.