Orange Juice Best at Stopping Kidney Stones

An independent study finds that orange juice beats lemonade and other fruit juices in helping to keep kidney stones at bay. Experts have long known that potassium citrate-found in citrus juice—can slow stone formation in people with a history of the condition.

But this study, by a team from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, found that other components also affect a juice's ability to prevent stones.

The Study

Thirteen volunteers (some with a history of kidney stones and some without) took part in the multi-phase trial, which was funded by the US National Institutes of Health. For one week, participants drank distilled water, for another week orange juice, and then lemonade for another week. There was a three-week interval between each of these weeks.

During each phase, the participants drank 13 ounces of orange juice, lemonade or distilled water three times a day with meals. They were also put on a low-calcium, low-oxalate diet, which also helps cut stone formation.

Results

The study found that orange juice increased levels of citrate in the urine and reduced the crystallization of uric acid and calcium oxalate, common components of kidney stones. Lemonade did not increase citrate levels.

Explanation

The study's lead author was Dr. Clarita Odvina, assistant professor of internal medicine at the Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research at University of Texas Southwestern's General Clinical Research Center where the study took place. Odvina explained that the citrate in orange and grapefruit is accompanied by a potassium ion, while the citrate in lemonade and cranberry juice is accompanied by a hydrogen ion. While hydrogen ions counteract the beneficial effects of high citrate content, potassium ions do not.