Is juicing bad for kidney stones?

Kidney stones are hard deposits made up of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. They develop when there is an imbalance in the concentration of certain substances, like calcium, oxalate and uric acid, in the urine. Small stones may go unnoticed and pass naturally through the urinary tract. However, larger stones can get stuck in the urinary tract and block the flow of urine, causing severe pain and other complications.

Diet and lifestyle factors play a major role in kidney stone formation. Some foods and drinks may promote stone development while others may help prevent it. This article examines whether juicing is bad for people prone to developing kidney stones.

What is Juicing?

Juicing refers to extracting the nutritious fluids and nutrients from fruits and vegetables. This is done by shredding the produce and squeezing the pulp through a juicer machine. The resulting juice contains most of the vitamins, minerals and plant compounds with little or no fiber content.

Some of the most commonly juiced fruits and veggies include:

• Apples
• Carrots
• Celery
• Beets
• Leafy greens like kale, spinach and parsley
• Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes

Juice cleanses or detoxes involve consuming only fresh fruit and vegetable juices for a period of time. This is claimed to eliminate toxins and promote better health.

However, juicing diets are considered unbalanced as they lack protein, fat and other nutrients. They should only be followed for brief periods.

Juicing May Increase Kidney Stone Risk

There are some potential downsides to juicing for people prone to kidney stones.

1. Oxalate Content

Many healthy fruits and veggies that are commonly juiced are high in oxalates, including:

• Spinach
• Beets
• Carrots
• Oranges
• Strawberries
• Parsley
• Swiss chard
• Nuts
• Chocolate
• Tea
• Soy

Oxalate cannot be metabolized by the body and is excreted unchanged through urine. The kidneys turn oxalate into crystals. Over time, these can accumulate to form kidney stones.

For people prone to developing kidney stones, consuming high-oxalate foods and beverages may increase urinary oxalate levels and raise their risk.

2. Phytic Acid Content

Phytic acid or phytate, found in plant seeds, nuts and grains, can bind to calcium and prevent its absorption in the body. This leads to higher calcium in the kidneys, which can precipitate into calcium-based stones.

Juices made from wheatgrass, alfalfa sprouts, beans, seeds and nuts are high in phytic acid. For people susceptible to kidney stones, excess phytic acid intake may deprive the body of calcium and contribute to kidney stone development.

3. Acidity Potential

Some juices may have an acidifying effect on the urine. For instance, cranberry juice is rich in organic acids and vitamin C, which increases urinary acidity.

Higher acidity increases the risk of uric acid stones in particular. People who frequently drink acidic beverages and develop recurring stones may wish to moderate their intake.

4. Additive Content

store-bought juices may contain added preservatives, flavorings and other ingredients that can promote stones. For example, sodium benzoate is a common preservative found in fruit juices and sodas.

Research indicates that sodium benzoate may increase urinary calcium excretion and form calcium oxalate stones.

Added sugars in juices can also increase stone risk. Fructose from sugar can bind with calcium and excrete it in the urine while also increasing uric acid.

Benefits of Juicing for Kidney Health

While juicing has some downsides, it may also benefit kidney health and reduce stones when done correctly.

1. Hydration

Staying hydrated is vital for preventing kidney stones. Drinking adequate fluids helps dilute salts and minerals in urine so they’re less likely to crystallize and form stones.

Juices made from fruits and veggies with high water content like cucumbers, watermelons and celery can help increase fluid intake and promote hydration.

2. Citrate Content

Citrate prevents kidney stones by binding to calcium and reducing stone-forming calcium salts in urine. Drinking citrus juices like orange, lemon and lime provides citrate.

One study gave people with recurring calcium oxalate stones either lemonade or placebo for nearly four years. Drinking lemonade significantly raised urinary citrate and reduced kidney stone recurrences.

3. Anti-Inflammatory Compounds

Chronic inflammation is linked to higher risk of kidney stone formation. Juices made from fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds may help reduce kidney inflammation.

For instance, cherries are rich in the antioxidant anthocyanin that provides anti-inflammatory effects. Beet, carrot and pomegranate juice also have anti-inflammatory benefits.

4. Organic Acids

Organic acids like citric, malic and tartaric acid found in lemon, apple and grape juice help block calcium stone formation. They bind to calcium and reduce the amount of calcium salt crystals in urine.

However, moderation is key as very high amounts can increase kidney stone risk by raising uric acid levels and urine acidity.

Tips for Juicing to Prevent Kidney Stones

Here are some tips to make juicing kidney-stone-friendly:

• Balance high oxalate juices like spinach, beets, carrots and berries with low-oxalate options like cucumber, celery and lettuce.
• Limit high phytic acid juicing ingredients like wheatgrass, beans, seeds and nuts.
• Avoid or moderate acidic juices like cranberry if you have uric acid kidney stones.
• Make mostly homemade juices to avoid additives that promote stones.
• Focus on hydrating and citrus juices to increase urine volume and citrate.
• Include anti-inflammatory juices like cherries, pomegranate and ginger.

The Bottom Line

Juicing has pros and cons when it comes to kidney stone prevention. On one hand, some juices may be high in oxalate, phytic acid or acids that can raise stone risk. On the other hand, juices can help hydrate and provide beneficial compounds that reduce inflammation and block stones.

Drinking fruit and vegetable juices in moderation as part of a healthy diet can be safely included by most people looking to prevent kidney stones.

Diet Recommendations for Preventing Kidney Stones

Here is a table summarizing foods to emphasize and avoid on a kidney stone prevention diet:

Foods to Emphasize	Foods to Limit
Water	Sugary drinks
Lemon/Lime juice	Grapefruit juice
Magnesium-rich foods like nuts, seeds and beans	Excess vitamin C supplements
Calcium-rich foods like yogurt and kale	High sodium foods
Potassium-citrate supplements	High-protein diets
Moderate oxalate foods	High-oxalate foods

Following these diet recommendations can help reduce your chances of developing painful kidney stones.

When to See a Doctor

Make sure to see your doctor if you experience potential kidney stone symptoms like:

• Severe pain in the side and back below the ribs
• Pain while urinating
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Nausea and vomiting

People who have had kidney stones before or are at high risk may benefit from further testing and medications to prevent recurrences.

Your doctor can help determine the specific dietary changes that are best for your condition and health history.

The Takeaway

Juicing can be included as part of a kidney stone prevention diet when done in moderation with the right ingredients. Focus on hydrating and anti-inflammatory juices while limiting acidic, high oxalate, phytic acid and additive-laden options. With the right dietary changes, many people can improve kidney health and reduce their chances of developing painful kidney stones.