What to consider when drinking coffee for kidney health
The kidneys are vital organs that filter waste and fluids, as well as balance electrolytes in the body.
According to an Eating Well report on Monday (17/8), one way to keep the kidneys healthy is to drink plenty of fluids. This is intended to prevent kidney damage that could potentially lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD), a progressive loss of kidney function that may require treatments such as dialysis to mimic the role of the kidneys.
However, we need to pay attention to the types of fluids consumed. One fluid that is widely consumed today is coffee.
The American Heart Association (AHA) states that healthy adults can enjoy up to 400 milligrams of caffeine, or about 4 cups of coffee, per day.
“The right amount for each individual can vary depending on factors such as blood pressure, caffeine sensitivity, and overall health,” it said.
Prato continued that coffee contains more than 1,000 natural compounds, including chlorogenic acid, polyphenols, and melanoidins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Other research findings state that drinking coffee can help lower the risk of developing CKD. Registered dietitian specialising in kidney stone prevention Melanie Betz, M.S., RD, CSR, FNKF, FAND said a meta-analysis found that people who drink 2 or more cups of coffee daily have a 14 percent lower risk of developing kidney disease.
Betz said the reason may be related to beneficial compounds in coffee that can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
The same was also conveyed by Prato, who said that if you drink coffee regularly, you may have a lower risk of developing kidney stones.
“Coffee can help by increasing urine volume, which can dilute and flush out stone-forming minerals before they have a chance to form crystals. Caffeine can also increase urine production, which may contribute to this protective effect,” he said.
In general, both Betz and Prato recommend staying hydrated to prevent kidney stones. Coffee provides fluid that helps dilute urine and reduces the risk of all types of kidney stone formation.
Hypertension can eventually lead to kidney disease because of the narrowing of blood vessels leading to the kidneys, creating a cycle that disrupts the ability to properly remove waste and therefore increases blood pressure due to excess fluid.
Caffeinated coffee can affect blood pressure, but the relationship between caffeine intake and hypertension has been debated. Some studies have found that drinking coffee can reduce the risk of hypertension, but other studies suggest the opposite.
However, those who already suffer from hypertension may need to be cautious when adding caffeine to their daily diet.
When blood pressure is already high or near the upper limit, even the smallest increase can be a cause for concern.
“If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, it is best to limit caffeinated coffee consumption to 1 to 2 cups per day and monitor your blood pressure, because larger amounts of caffeine consumed at once can temporarily increase blood pressure,” Prato added.