Arjun Das Arjun Das Asked 6 months ago

Does coffee contribute to kidney stones?

I've heard conflicting things about coffee and kidney stones. Some say it's bad, others say it's fine. I really enjoy my morning cuppa, but I want to make sure I'm not increasing my risk. Does coffee actually contribute to kidney stones?

12

12 answers

Manju Warrier Manju Warrier Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago
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My college-going son had a small kidney stone last year because he was only drinking coffee and energy drinks instead of water. The doctor told us that coffee has oxalates which can form stones if the body is dehydrated. Now I make sure he drinks two bottles of water for every cup of coffee he has.

Sanjay Sharma Sanjay Sharma Joined Feb 2026 6 months ago

I had mild side pain for weeks and kept blaming it on my morning coffee acidity, ignoring it completely. It turned out to be a large kidney stone that blocked my ureter, and I had to undergo emergency surgery. Please get an ultrasound done if you have any persistent back or side pain.

Aman Preet Aman Preet Joined Feb 2026 6 months ago

Bro, I literally survive on cold brew during semester exams. I was so scared of getting stones, but my senior told me as long as you keep chugging water and don't skip meals, you should be totally fine. Just don't make coffee your only source of liquids!

Ritu Malhotra Ritu Malhotra Joined May 2026 6 months ago

I got so paranoid about this after reading online that I almost stopped drinking coffee completely! But then I talked to my doctor who told me that a moderate amount like 1-2 cups is absolutely fine. Just don't let yourself get dehydrated, which is the actual main cause of stones.

Zoya Patel Zoya Patel Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

I can't compromise on my daily French press coffee! To play it safe, I have cut down on other high-oxalate things like spinach and chocolates instead. That way, I can still enjoy my favorite brews without worrying about building up stones.

Rajesh Nair Rajesh Nair Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

Just got my 5mm stone cleared naturally last month. My doctor told me that moderate black coffee actually acts as a diuretic and can help flush out toxins, but only if you drink 3 liters of plain water daily. Don't fear coffee, just drink more water.

Vikram Sen Vikram Sen Joined Mar 2026 6 months ago

It can if you drink it excessively without staying hydrated. Just drink enough water daily.

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Consult a neurologist

Ananya Roy Ananya Roy Joined Feb 2026 6 months ago

My nephrologist explained that while coffee has oxalates, the calcium we take in our diet actually binds with it in the gut and prevents stone formation. So, having coffee with a splash of milk or having a calcium-rich diet actually lowers the risk. Always consult a doctor for personalized dietary advice.

Suresh Gupta Suresh Gupta Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Look, we cannot stop drinking coffee completely, especially when we need it for work. The simplest solution is to balance it out. Drink a big glass of water right after your coffee cup, and try adding a bit of milk to it as calcium binds with oxalates in the stomach rather than kidneys.

Nisha Krishnan Nisha Krishnan Joined May 2026 5 months ago

I know how terrifying the thought of kidney stone pain can be, especially with so much conflicting advice online. It is completely normal to feel worried about your daily coffee. Just take a deep breath, keep your hydration high, and try not to stress too much.

Kartik Subramanian Kartik Subramanian Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

My mother always tells me to drink buttermilk instead of coffee to cool the system and avoid stones. However, my family doctor assured me that 1-2 cups of filter coffee is perfectly fine, provided I don't let my body get dehydrated during hot summers.

Baldev Singh Baldev Singh Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Beta, modern drinks like coffee can dry up the body's natural fluids if taken too much. Make a habit of drinking fresh coconut water or barley water (jau ka paani) weekly. These old ways keep the urinary system clean and free of blockages.

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