Increasing fluid intake can help prevent kidney stones. Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world (second to water).
Increasing total fluid intake can reduce the risk of kidney stones. Kidney stone formation is reduced by 8% with just one 236ml cup of tea. For those regular tea drinkers, this is great news. For those who suffer from kidney stones, it is recommended to increase their fluid intake with decaffeinated herbal tea.
Drinking green tea can help prevent kidney stones. Kidney stones occur when abnormally high concentrations of minerals such as calcium build up in the urinary tract and stick together, forming crystals and potentially painful stones.
Most kidney stones contain calcium and the most common type of stone is calcium oxalate.
Chinese researchers found that green tea extract binds to calcium oxalate and makes the resulting crystals a different shape, making them less likely to stick together and form large kidney stones.
The smaller crystals and stones are then passed harmlessly through the urine. The results of the study showed that as the amount of green tea extract applied increased, the calcium oxalate crystals became flatter and separated more easily.
Another tea, which is extremely effective in treating kidney stones is rooibos tea originating from South Africa. This tea is known to relieve allergies, irritated skin and stomach cramps.
Its huge antioxidant supply makes it a cancer fighter and helps slow down the aging process and strengthen the immune system.
This tea does not contain oxalic acid, making it one of the best teas for people prone to kidney stones.
