A Brazil-based urologist has issued a startling warning after surgically removing 35 kidney stones from a patient who consumed two to three liters of cola each day, illustrating severe health risks tied to excessive soda intake.
Dr. Thales Andrade, operating in Brazil, shared a disturbing Instagram video featuring a tray filled with large, yellow kidney stones. The patient lay unconscious behind him while Andrade highlighted the painful consequences of chronic soda consumption. Salted sugars, phosphoric acid, and caffeine in carbonated drinks contribute to the formation of kidney stones, he warned.
Kidney stone risks – from diet to symptoms
Kidney stones are masses of calcium, sodium, oxalate, or uric acid that crystallize due to imbalance in the urinary system. Small stones may pass with minimal discomfort. However, larger stones obstruct urinary flow and can trigger intense pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and blood in urine. Some require surgical removal when they block kidney function.
Stone sizes vary from rice grain specks to golf-ball equivalents. In a rare, extreme case, a Sri Lankan man developed a grapefruit-sized kidney stone. According to the National Kidney Foundation, one in 10 Americans will suffer kidney stones, prompting over half a million emergency room visits annually.
Why soda fuels stone formation
Dietitian Kelsey Costa explained that high‑fructose corn syrup in soda raises uric acid, facilitating crystal buildup in kidneys. Additionally, phosphoric acid in colas increases urine acidity, encouraging stone formation. Caffeine acts as a diuretic, leading to dehydration—another factor in kidney stone development.
A National Institutes of Health study found one or more sodas daily correlated with a 23% greater risk of kidney stones compared to consuming fewer than one per week. CDC data shows about 63% of Americans drink at least one sugar‑sweetened beverage daily.
On the flip side, giving up sodas, especially those containing phosphoric acid, reduced recurrence risk by 15% in stone patients.
Expert advice and broader guidance
Dr. Andrade emphasized that “kidney health begins with daily choices of what we drink,” urging people to stay hydrated and limit soda intake. Experts also recommend moderating dietary protein, salt, sugar, high-dose vitamin C supplements, and maintaining good hydration.
Other risk factors include family history, previous intestinal surgery, certain medications, and underlying conditions such as gout, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cystic fibrosis, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.