By now you might have already heard of the newly discovered link between iced tea and kidney stones, but how exactly does this relationship work, and what other factors influence it? Recent articles have been sounding the alarm on iced tea due to its high oxalate content, but don’t toss out your tea set just yet; in this article we are going to take a closer, in-depth look at the ups and downs of dunking those tea leaves.

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What’s So Bad About Iced Tea?
Here’s the bad news: tea (all tea, not just iced tea) does contain higher amounts of oxalate than most other drinks, and there is a link between high oxalate consumption and increased risk of kidney stones.  What is oxalate? Oxalate is a negatively charged chemical compound that is produced as a by-product of photosynthesis in certain plants.  While oxalate is not that dangerous by itself, it combines with positively charged ions in the human body like iron and calcium and forms the crystals we know as kidney stones.

Can Anything Counteract the Effect of Oxalate?
Yes, citrates can also bond to calcium in the body, thus preventing the formation of crystals caused from oxalate bonding.  As the name implies, citrates can be found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and limes.  In addition, multiple studies have suggested that cranberry juice can be effective in preventing the formation of crystals in the kidneys.  Lastly, the large intestines contain a bacteria called Oxalobacter formigenes that breaks down oxalate in the human body.

What About the Benefits of Tea?
The health benefits of tea have been studied for many years.  There is extensive research and documentation on the benefits tea has on blood pressure, immune function, diabetes, heart disease and cancer prevention. Of course there are many other benefits as well, but that’s a different article.  If you think you are at a higher risk for kidney stones, it is extremely quick and easy to get screened.  For example in Las Vegas a urologist can give you a same day appointment for a non invasive screening

Tea consumption has been dated as far back as the 10^th century BC, and is the second most consumed beverage in the world, outranked only by water.  Since kidney stones have not been a widespread pandemic throughout human history, it is safe to say that there are many other factors at play in the increased prevalence of kidney stones today.  As with anything in life, even a good thing can be overdone. Just remember to enjoy in moderation; a well balanced diet is far better than any supplement.