5 Ways to Lower Your Risk of Kidney Stones

Statistics show that around 13% of all men and 7% of all women will develop kidney stones in their life. Characterized by the formation of a hard mass -- typically calcium -- in the kidneys, it's a painful yet common condition from which millions of people suffer. You can lower your risk of kidney stones, however, by following these five tips.

#1) Drink Coffee

Need another reason to brew a pot of coffee in the morning? Not only does will this caffeinated beverage wake you up, but it will also lower your risk of kidney stones. One study found that people who drank coffee had a 26% lower risk of kidney stones than the control group who avoided all caffeinated beverages.

#2) Eat More Calcium

Some people assume that consuming causes kidney stones. After all, kidney stones are often comprised of calcium deposits. The truth, however, is that consuming too little calcium actually increases your risk of developing kidney stones. If you don't consume enough calcium, oxalate will accumulate in your kidneys and increase your risk of kidney stones.

#3) Avoid Soda

There are numerous reasons you should avoid soda. With up to 40 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving, it can lead to belly fat and diabetes. Furthermore, research has shown that people drink soda on a daily basis are more likely to develop kidney stones than their counterparts who refrain from drinking soda.

#4) Limit Sodium Consumption

Current dietary guidelines state that adults should consume about 1,500 to 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. The problem is that most people consume far more than this amount. If you consume too much sodium, you may experience high blood pressure, water retention and kidney problems like kidney stones. If you're worried about kidney stones, keep a diet journal to see how much sodium you consume in a typical day. If it's more than 2,300 milligrams, cut back on salty, sodium-rich foods.

#5) Drink More Orange Juice

Will drinking orange juice protect you from kidney stones? Possibly. Orange juice, mango juice and other citrus fruit juices contain high levels of citric acid. This is important because more than half of all people who suffer from kidney stones have low levels of citric acid in their blood. Therefore, drinking more orange juice will increase your citric acid levels and, possibly, protect you from kidney stones.