10/02/2026
Sugar sweetened drinks, like soda, significantly increase your risk of kidney stones.🤕
Why is this?
Well, like many things, the answer is complicated. All the sugar in soda can increase the amount of lots of harmful things in your urine. Calcium, uric acid and oxalate are biggies.
WHAT!? Oxalate!? You may be thinking.
Yep! Although soda contains essentially ZERO oxalate, it might be able to raise urine oxalate levels. This is why it is SO important to understand that kidney stone prevention is not necessarily about a low oxalate diet.
🍃A (BIG!) source of oxalate in the body is oxalate made in your liver. Your liver can make oxalate from a variety of things. One of these things is fructose, which is found in VERY high amounts in soda.
🥤If you love bubbly drinks (as I do!), you are much better off choosing unsweetened sparkling water.
Read more about the best drinks TO drink for kidney stones at https://www.thekidneydietitian.org/best-drinks-for-kidney-stones/
Sugar sweetened drinks, like soda, significantly increase your risk of kidney stones.🤕
Why is this?
Well, like many things, the answer is complicated. All the sugar in soda can increase the amount of lots of harmful things in your urine. Calcium, uric acid and oxalate are biggies.
WHAT!? Oxalate!? You may be thinking.
Yep! Although soda contains essentially ZERO oxalate, it might be able to raise urine oxalate levels. This is why it is SO important to understand that kidney stone prevention is not necessarily about a low oxalate diet.
🍃A (BIG!) source of oxalate in the body is oxalate made in your liver. Your liver can make oxalate from a variety of things. One of these things is fructose, which is found in VERY high amounts in soda.
🥤If you love bubbly drinks (as I do!), you are much better off choosing unsweetened sparkling water (like La Croix!). Or, enjoy a diet clear soda like Sprite or 7-Up on occasion.
Read more about the best drinks TO drink for kidney stones at the blog! https://www.thekidneydietitian.org/best-drinks-for-kidney-stones/