Kidney stones risk increased by up to 88% from high sugar intake, flags study

07 Aug 2023 --- A new study on over 28,000 participants published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that high sugar consumption increases the risk of kidney stones. The authors argue that processed foods, sugar-sweetened sodas, fruit drinks, ice cream and other highly-sweet products should, therefore, be added to the list of risk factors for processed foods. 

“Ours is the first study to report an association between added sugar consumption and kidney stones,” says lead author Dr. Shan Yin, a researcher at the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China.

“It suggests that limiting added sugar intake may help prevent kidney stones’ formation.”

Positive and consistent relationship
The study used data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and included 28,303 adults in the US, males and females, between 2007 and 2018.

The participants filled in their daily sugar intake and food consumption. Later they were given a healthy index score summarizing their dietary intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, refined grains, saturated fats and sodium. 

The study found a positive and consistent correlation between the percentage of sugar intake and developing kidney stones.After adjusting for factors such as age, smoking, body mass index and diabetes history, they found a positive and consistent correlation between the percentage of sugar intake and developing kidney stones.

Participants in the population with the highest sugar intake showed a 39% more likelihood of getting kidney stones. Moreover, there was an 88% higher likelihood for those getting 25% of their total energy intake from sugar than those who got 5%. 

The authors also emphasize prior known factors increasing the risk of kidney stones, such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease and chronic diarrhea. Compared to women, men have a higher risk. 

“Further studies are needed to explore the association between added sugar and various diseases or pathological conditions in detail,” adds Yin. 

Sugar in the headlines
Recently, studies have demonstrated adverse health effects from sugar. Research published in BMC Medicine showed increasing daily consumption of free sugars by 5% of energy intake was found to increase the risk of total cardiovascular disease by 7%, the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) by 6% and the risk of strokes by 10%.

Last year, the European soft drinks sector delivered a 17.7% reduction in average added sugars – in the previous seven years – based on the bolstered health and nutrition commitments set out by the Union of European Soft Drinks Associations.

Globally, diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability. Currently, half a billion people are living with the disease. According to a recent study published in The Lancet, that number is expected to more than double by 2050, reaching up to 1.3 billion people. 

“Studies have also shown that a high intake of added sugars can lead to nutrient dilution in older adults. Some micronutrients are closely related to kidney stones, such as calcium and vitamin D,” read the new study.

“However, literature shows that there is insufficient evidence; and inconsistency results on the relationship between added sugars and micronutrient intake and no clear evidence on micronutrient dilution,” it continues.

Yin adds that there are more factors from sugar to consider in its relationship with kidney stones.

“For example, what types of kidney stones are most associated with added sugar intake? How much should we reduce our consumption of added sugars to lower the risk of kidney stone formation? Nevertheless, our findings already offer valuable insights for decision-makers.”

Edited by Beatrice Wihlander