Kidney stones and urinary tract stones are a common problem. They largely form due to our diet. Water that we drink and use for cooking plays a crucial role in this process.
There are certain diseases where metabolism changes in such a way that the formation of stones becomes almost inevitable. However, for most people, the risk of their appearance can be minimized. What needs to be done for this?
Is the amount of water more important than its quality?
The composition of water matters, but as scientific studies show, its quantity is even more important. If a person does not consume enough fluid, they produce little urine, which is a significant factor in the formation of stones in the kidneys and urinary tract. Essentially, this is a matter of physics and chemistry: the higher the concentration of salts in the urine, the easier they settle. This is where the stone formation process begins.
An adequate amount of water makes urine more liquid, which hinders the precipitation of salts. Even if salt crystals are already forming, they can be washed away by the flow of urine. The situation worsens in the presence of kidney diseases (for example, inflammatory processes), as crystals of salts are more easily fixed on damaged areas and become the basis for stone growth.
How much fluid should be consumed?
In the context of preventing urolithiasis, it is more appropriate to talk about how much urine should be produced daily. Studies have determined the following norms.
If a person excretes less than 1 liter of urine per day, the risk of developing urolithiasis significantly increases.
With the formation of 2-2.5 liters of urine per day, the risk of stone formation is low, even for those who have previously faced this problem.
If stones are already present, it is recommended to consume enough fluid to ensure that urine volume is at least 2.5 liters per day.
Pay attention to the acid-base balance
It is also important to consider the acid-base balance in the body. Increased acidity of urine, which can occur with diabetes and other chronic diseases, increases the risk of stone formation. This can also be caused by excessive consumption of certain foods (meat, fatty foods, alcohol) and insufficient amounts of fruits, vegetables, and berries.
Shifting the acidity of urine towards neutral and alkaline can be aided by magnesium and potassium salts (for example, citrates — salts of citric acid). They prevent stone formation and are used to treat urolithiasis. There are even medications with citrates. Citrus fruits, cranberries, and bilberries have a good effect.
