Hydrate but... After all, this (common) drink can cause kidney stones

Hydrate but... After all, this (common) drink can cause kidney stones

Recent studies have associated tea consumption with high caffeine levels with an increasing risk of kidney stone formation. Understand here how this can happen and what the risk groups are.

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19/08/2026
by

Inês Morais Monteiro

Costuma drink tea to improve hydration levels? Although this may be a healthy practice for most people, for those with kidney problems, this scenario becomes less optimistic.

 

Although there is no direct relationship with dehydration, some studies cited by Very Well Health suggest that some types of tea may cause a feeling of dehydration.

The caffeine, a light diuretic present in some types of tea, when we ingest it, urine production is more easily produced. However, “the volume of liquids present in tea usually compensates for this effect”, so typical caffeine levels are not associated with a “significant fluid loss”.

However, the black tea, for example, it is not associated only with a “feeling of dehydration”, according to these doctors, there are much more alarming effects, especially for those with kidney problems.

Before you realize the consequences, see what are the amounts of caffeine per mug:

Black tea: 71 milligrams
Green tea: 37 milligrams
Coffee: 113 to 247 milligrams

Can drinking tea cause kidney stones?

For most people, tea consumption can be something trivial and harmless. These experts say it can even be beneficial for those who have difficulty drinking water, “since regular urine flow helps dilute minerals that can form crystals in the urinary tract.”

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Renal Diseases even states that it does not matter how it moisturizes: “Ingesting enough liquids is the most important step to prevent kidney stones.”

However, the presence of a natural compound in black tea, the oxalato may increase the risk of problems, one being the development of kidney stones.

Still, if you do not exaggerate in quantities and are a healthy person, this practice may be associated with more benefits – namely hydration – than disadvantages. Still, before making hasty decisions, if you have kidney problems, you should seek specialized help.

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Inês Morais Monteiro

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