Behind the colorful packaging and surrounding soda marketing, there is a liquid that, when consumed in excess, impairs the proper functioning of the kidneys. The formation of urinary calculations, popularly known as “kidney stones”, has grown among young adults, and experts begin to draw direct connections with modern eating habits – including abusive soda consumption.

Even recently, a video went viral on social networks showing a patient who consumed two to three liters of soda a day and had to undergo surgery to remove 35 bladder stones. The scene has not only the severity of the situation, but also the urgency of rethinking the consumption of these seemingly harmless beverages.

For the urologist and professor at the University of São Paulo School of Medicine (USP) Dr. Alexandre Sallum Bull, the viralized case is a warning to everyone who still believes that taking soda “only once in a while” is not bad.

“Soda is one of the most aggressive drinks for the urinary system. It alters urine pH, stimulates the loss of minerals through the kidneys, favors the crystallization of substances such as calcium, phosphate and oxalate – and this, over time, turns stone. And stone becomes pain, infection and, in the most severe cases, surgery,” he says.

Damage to soda to the urinary tract

Behind the sweet taste and refreshing sensation, soda hides a cocktail of substances harmful to urinary tract:

• Phosphoric acid: present especially in glue-based soft drinks, alters the acid-base balance of the urine and increases the excretion of calcium by the kidneys, one of the main components of stones;
• Excessive sugar: High doses of glucose affect calcium metabolism and may increase the production of rich urine in crystallized minerals;
• Caffeine: present in many soft drinks, has light diuretic effect, which can increase the dehydrationreducing the urinary volume and favoring the concentration of salts in the urine.

And not to mention zero or dietalthough they do not contain sugar, maintain phosphoric acid and artificial sweeteners, also suspected of affecting intestinal microbiota and renal metabolism.

The path to the formation of stones

In kidneys, substances such as calcium, oxalate and uric acid are naturally excreted by urine. When they are in balance and diluted, everything works well. But when concentration increases and urine is more acidic or less volume, these crystals cluster and the dreaded kidney stones are born.

“Drinking excess soda is like pouring acid on a system that should be balanced. Over time, the kidneys react from the only way they know: forming stones to try to contain excess toxins and salts,” explains Dr. Alexandre Sallum.

Kidney stones symptoms

The formation of calculations can be silent at first, but as stones grow or move, symptoms appear and are usually intense:

• Strong back pain, which can radiate to the groin;
• Urine with blood or cloudy;
• Urinary urgency and full bladder sensation;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Urinary infections recurring.

In the case of the patient who went viral, the stones were not in the kidneys, but accumulated in the bladder, generating a rare but severe picture that required open surgery.

Soda consumption and propensity to have stones

Studies show that frequent soft drink consumption is associated with an increase of up to 33% in the risk of urinary calculations formation. The risk is even greater in people than:

• They have a family history of kidney stone;
• They drink little water;
• They have diets rich in sodium, animal proteins and processed foods;
• They are sedentary or overweight.

Preventing the kidney stones

The good news is that forming kidney stone is not inevitable. With simple and consistent care, it is possible to prevent the problem, even in predisposed people.

1. Drink plenty of water

Staying hydrated is the most effective way to dilute the urine and prevent crystal formation. At least 2 to 2.5 liters of water a day, or even more if the weather is hot or you practice physical activities.

2. Avoid soda and drinks sweetened

Swap soda with lemon water, natural teas (without sugar), coconut water, kombucha or natural juices.

3. Reduce salt and sausages

Diets with excessive red meat and embeddeds increase uric acid excretion, which also favors the emergence of calculations.

4. Include protective foods

Citrus fruits, such as lemon, orange and acerola, increase urinary citrate, a compound that prevents the formation of crystals.

5. Consult a urologist

If you have had kidney stones or urinary tract infections, it is worth investigating the type of calculation, eating habits and, if necessary, perform tests to customize your prevention.

A consequence, not a bad luck

The case of the 35 stones taken from the bladder of a patient who abused the soda is not a history of bad luck – it is a consequence of a toxic habit, kept for years, without listening or guidance. You don’t have to reach this point.

“When you eliminate the refrigerator From your routine, you are not just cutting a caloric drink. He is gesturing respect for his body, with his kidneys and his long -term health, ”concludes Dr. Alexandre Sallum Bull.

By Roneia Forte