New
research has identified an easily accessible diet staple that protects against
severe illness.
According
to the National Kidney Foundation, 10% of people will develop a kidney stone at some point in their lives. To assist you in avoiding becoming a statistic, a
research team revealed that a common type of tea could help prevent kidney
stones from forming.
Excessive
coffee and soda consumption have been linked to the development of kidney
stones due to "anti-nutrients" in these beverages affecting the
body's ability to absorb certain nutrients.
In
a review published last month in the peer-reviewed World Journal of Urology, a group of experts
from France and the United Kingdom set out to investigate how coffee and tea
might affect kidney stone formation.
Following
a review of 13 previous studies, the researchers concluded that drinking
moderate amounts of coffee and tea could help prevent kidney stones from
forming. Caffeine increases calcium, sodium, and magnesium excretion in the
urine.
However,
according to the researchers, a specific type of tea may be the most effective
in preventing kidney stones from forming. The authors conclude, "Current
research supports a possible preventative effect for tea against stone
development, particularly green tea."
The
researchers point out that the water in which the tea is steeped aids in the
production of urine, which aids in the discharge of extra minerals. They also
claim that the antioxidants in tea may help prevent cancer.
Before
the scientific community can say that coffee or tea can prevent kidney stones,
more research is needed. If you already have some green tea on hand, this study
may serve as an excellent motivator to start brewing.
Scientists recently discovered that a specific amount might lessen your risk of dying from heart disease if you consume coffee.