- Kidney stones affect more than one in ten people, mostly between 30 and 60
- Those eating most added sugars had 39 per cent greater risk of the condition
By XANTHA LEATHAM DEPUTY SCIENCE EDITOR
Biscuits, cakes and fizzy drinks could increase the risk of getting kidney stones, researchers have warned.
A study suggests that a greater intake of added sugars – commonly found in processed food – raises the chance of developing the painful condition.
Kidney stones affect more than one in ten people, mostly aged between 30 and 60, and are caused by waste products in the blood forming crystals.
Over time the crystals may build up to form a hard stone-like lump, leading to extreme pain and kidney infections if not treated correctly.
New research has shown for the first time that sugar-enhanced drinks, sweets, ice cream, cakes and cookies appears to raise the risk of developing the condition.
Researchers from the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College in China analysed data on nearly 30,000 people collected over 11 years.
Participants self-reported if they had a history of kidney stones, and their daily intake of added sugars was estimated from their reported diets.
Analysis revealed those who ate the most added sugars had a 39 per cent greater chance of developing kidney stones over the course of the study.
Similarly, those who derived more than a quarter of their total energy from added sugars were 88 per cent more likely to develop the condition.
Known risk factors for kidney stones include being an adult male, obesity, chronic diarrhoea, dehydration and diabetes.
Now, the researchers say elevated consumption of added sugars should be added to the list.
