Coffee and Kidney Stones: Does it Help or Hurt?

Coffee and Kidney Stones: Why You Can Still Enjoy Your Favorite Daily Brews 

No one wants to deal with kidney stones. After all, passing a kidney stone is known to be one of the most painful experiences that you can have in life! As a coffee drinker, you may be wondering if there is a link between coffee and kidney stones.

Does coffee contribute to the formation of kidney stones, or can it help prevent them? What drinks can help you reduce your risk of getting a kidney stone? Here, we will dive into it all!

Does Drinking Coffee Contribute to Kidney Stones?

No, coffee does not really contribute to the formation or prevention of kidney stones in any significant way. Let's break it down.

There's a nuanced relationship between coffee consumption and kidney stone formation. In general, coffee is neutral when it comes to the production of kidney stones in the human body. This means that coffee neither increases your likelihood of developing kidney stones nor reduces your chance of getting them. 

Coffee and kidney stones have a nuanced relationship, with negatives and positives. 

Positives: 

Fluid Intake - Coffee is also associated with higher overall fluid intake, which dilutes the urine and lowers the risk of stone formation. Several large studies (e.g., Journal of Urology, 2014) show that moderate coffee consumption is actually linked to a reduced risk of kidney stones.

Benefits from Antioxidants and Acidity - According to this National Kidney Foundation study, drinking one and a half cups of coffee per day may even reduce your likelihood of getting kidney stones by as much as 40%. Coffee that is slightly acidic could also help prevent calcium from binding, thus slightly reducing the chance of kidney stone development. 

Negatives:

Caffeine - Coffee contains caffeine, which has a mild diuretic effect. This means it can increase urine output, potentially raising the risk of dehydration if you don’t replace the lost fluids. Dehydration is a major risk factor for kidney stone formation.

Calcium Excretion - High caffeine intake can slightly increase calcium in the urine, which might raise the risk of calcium oxalate stones in sensitive people.

The Bottom line: 

Coffee is generally neutral to slightly protective when it comes to kidney stone formation, as long as you stay hydrated and don’t overdo caffeine.

What to Drink to Prevent Kidney Stones

Drinking coffee is basically a net neutral when it comes to the prevention of kidney stones.

There are no definitive links between coffee and kidney stones, and you can find just as much research supporting drinking coffee or giving up coffee. 

However, there are still lots of things that you can do to help prevent the formation of kidney stones in your body. And if you are worried about kidney stones, you don't need to give up coffee. Just be sure to stay hydrated! 

1. Water: The number one protective factor. Aim for enough fluid to produce ~2.5 liters of urine daily.

2. Citrus-based drinks: Lemon water, lime water, or Crystal Light lemonade (contains citric acid). Citric acid binds to calcium in urine, preventing it from forming crystals.

3. Herbal teas (non-oxalate-heavy), Chamomile or mint teas are safe. Avoid excessive black tea if prone to oxalate stones.

4. Moderate coffee/tea: Can still fit into a kidney-stone-preventive hydration plan.

5. Limit soda and sugary drinks: Especially colas, energy drinks, or beverages that contain phosphoric acid and are linked to increased stone risk.

Why It’s OK to Enjoy Coffee Regularly

Kidney stone risk is not significantly increased in moderate coffee drinkers, and hydration, plus citric acid intake, offsets most, if not all, potential downsides.

So, you can continue enjoying coffee without worrying about it adding to the risk of developing kidney stones. In fact, there are many impressive health benefits of coffee to consider as well! 

Health benefits of coffee (in moderation, ~3 to 4 cups/day) include:

• • Antioxidants like polyphenols reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.

  • Lower risk of type 2 diabetes and improved insulin sensitivity.

  • Reduced risk of liver disease (including cirrhosis and liver cancer).

  • Possible protective effects against Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

  • Cognitive and mood boost from caffeine.

  • It is a much better option than sugary Cola beverages or drinks that contain a lot of phosphoric acid (which can help kidney stones form).

Should you stop drinking coffee if you get kidney stones?

No, the good news is that coffee does not need to be avoided for kidney stone prevention, and you will not get kidney stones from coffee. In fact, coffee has many health benefits, and since it adds to hydration without introducing additional phosphoric acid into your diet, it may actually help prevent the formation of kidney stones by upping your daily fluid intake.

Bearing all of this in mind, you should aim to stay well hydrated throughout your day, no matter what you are drinking. Ergo, the best prevention strategy for kidney stones is staying well hydrated (with water + citrate-rich drinks like lemon water or Crystal Light) in addition to drinking coffee. 

Coffee, when consumed in moderation, still brings numerous health benefits and can be part of a stone-preventive lifestyle!

What is the Role of the pH of Coffee in Kidney Stones?

• Black coffee typically has a pH of ~4.5–6.0, making it mildly acidic.

• This acidity comes mostly from organic acids like chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, and citric acid.

Does Coffee’s Acidity Contribute to Kidney Stones?

Nope, there is no direct link between coffee’s pH and stone formation.

• Kidney stones form based on what ends up in the urine (like calcium, oxalate, uric acid), not the pH of what you drink.

• By the time coffee is metabolized, its organic acids are broken down and don’t directly acidify your urine.

Urine pH matters more than beverage pH.

Kidney stones are influenced by whether your urine is persistently acidic or alkaline.

• Uric acid stones: more likely in acidic urine.

• Calcium phosphate stones: more likely in alkaline urine.

Coffee does not significantly alter urine pH.

The Real Factors in Coffee & Kidney Stone Production

• Fluid intake → Coffee adds to daily fluids, which dilutes stone-forming substances.

• Citrate effect → Coffee contains small amounts of citric acid (though not nearly as much as lemon/lime). Citrate is protective because it binds calcium in urine.

• Caffeine effect → High caffeine may increase calcium excretion slightly, but in moderation, this is offset by higher urine volume.

The Takeaway on Coffee pH and Kidney Stones

Even though coffee is mildly acidic (pH ~5), this acidity does not directly promote kidney stone formation. What matters most is overall hydration, citrate intake (from citrus drinks), and moderation of stone-promoting compounds (like phosphoric acid). Coffee can still be enjoyed regularly without increasing kidney stone risk.

What is the best coffee to drink for your health? 

While there isn't a specific type of coffee for kidney stones  (or to be more specific, a coffee for preventing them), there are plenty of wholesome coffee options out there that should be considered if you want to lead a healthier overall lifestyle. 

Natural organic coffee beans, for instance, are produced without harmful substances used during the growth process or in packaging. These coffees let you dodge any unnecessary chemicals and pesticides, meaning you can enjoy every sip without having to worry about harmful toxins or additives. 

For example, this natural organic coffee selection (found at www.onegreatcoffee.com) is full of flavorful, antioxidant-rich, pure Arabica coffee options.

These freshly roasted non-GMO Arabica coffee beans have naturally been sourced from responsible coffee growers around the world. They are free of additives, chemicals, pesticides, and unnecessary ingredients, helping you unlock a delicious world of naturally aromatic coffees that taste as good as they are for you!