Anand Sharma Anand Sharma Asked 9 months ago

Can soda pop cause kidney stones?

A friend of mine just had a very painful kidney stone. He drinks a lot of fizzy drinks, and I do too. I was wondering if there's a connection. Can soda pop actually cause kidney stones?

8

8 answers

Riya Sen Riya Sen Joined Mar 2026 7 months ago
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Oh absolutely, I used to drink a lot of dark colas during college and ended up with a painful kidney stone. My doctor told me the phosphoric acid in those sodas was the main culprit. Please try to drink lots of water and cut down on sodas, the pain of kidney stones is really not worth it!

Maninder Singh Maninder Singh Joined Feb 2026 9 months ago

Drinking too much soda dehydrates the body and introduces high levels of oxalates and phosphoric acid, which are prime ingredients for kidney stones. I always tell people at the gym to stick to clean hydration, at least 3-4 liters of water daily. Skip the sodas if you want to keep your kidneys clean and functional.

Pooja Deshmukh Pooja Deshmukh Joined Feb 2026 9 months ago

Yes, scientific studies show that high fructose corn syrup and phosphoric acid in sodas significantly increase calcium excretion, leading to stones. It is always wise to limit these drinks and focus on hydration. If you are experiencing persistent lower back pain, consulting a physician is the best course of action.

Alok Ranjan Alok Ranjan Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

There are so many random health claims online, but this one has actual medical backing, especially for dark colas containing phosphoric acid. Don't rely on random home flushes or internet tips if you suspect a stone. If you have sharp side pain or blood in urine, go see an urologist immediately for proper scans.

Sanya Malhotra Sanya Malhotra Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

I panicked so much when I had a small back ache after drinking two sodas in a week, thinking I had instantly grown kidney stones. Thankfully, my doctor reassured me that a few sodas won't cause immediate stones if you are otherwise well-hydrated. Just don't make it a daily habit and you will be absolutely fine.

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Ranganathan Chari Ranganathan Chari Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

My grandmother used to say that drinking bottled aerated water dries up the body's natural fluids, and actually, modern doctors say the same about kidney stones. While traditional barley water is good for flushing the system, always follow your doctor's specific advice and get an ultrasound done if you feel any persistent pain.

Neha Joshi Neha Joshi Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Yes, sodas are high in phosphates which can definitely lead to kidney stone formation. Try to replace them with plain water.

Karthik Subramanian Karthik Subramanian Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

I had a 6mm kidney stone last year and my urologist specifically made me promise to stop drinking carbonated beverages. The acidity and lack of proper water intake are a deadly combination for stone formation. Drink fresh barley water or just load up on plain warm water, and keep sodas strictly to a minimum.

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