Sugar and Kidney Stones. An Unhealthy Relationship.

By: Jeffrey Walker, M.D.

Consuming high amounts of sugar in your diet can significantly increase your risk of developing kidney stones.

A study published in August 2023 followed 28,000 adults (half men, half women) over 11 years. The study looked at what each person ate each day, and how many calories they consumed. Results showed that those whose total calories were 25% or more from sugar had an 88% increased chance of developing kidney stones. We’re not talking about natural sugars that are found in fruit. These are added sugars such as:

• White sugar
• Brown sugar
• Corn syrup
• Cane syrup
• Molasses

You’ll find these added sugars in foods like:

• Cakes and donuts
• Candy
• Ice cream and ice pops
• Barbecue sauce and ketchup
• Dried fruits like cranberries
• Sweetened yogurt
• Breakfast cereals
• Sodas and fruit drinks

Such added sugars can reduce the amount of urine our bodies produce and result in higher levels of urinary calcium which can lead to kidney stones. Too much sugar can also lead to other health problems that are shown to contribute to stone formation including diabetes, obesity, and resistance to insulin.

More than a half a million people visit emergency rooms each year for kidney stone problems. If you don’t want to be one of them, consider cutting back on added sugars.

Look at the package’s label to see how much added sugar your favorite food contains. It may surprise you. For example, a 12 oz can of Coke contains 39 grams of added sugar, which equals about 10 teaspoons! The American Heart Association recommends women consume no more than 100 calories per day, or about 6 teaspoons of sugar, and men consume no more than 150 calories per day, or about 9 teaspoons of sugar.

Learn more about kidney stones: their symptoms, causes, and treatment options.