Does this viral photo of kidney stones really show the effect of too many energy drinks?

Thursday, 9th August 2018, 7:15 am
Updated Friday, 6th September 2019, 8:45 pm
This image has been shared online hundreds of thousands of times – but experts warn it's message is somewhat misleading (Photo: Facebook/Jason Hallman)

A graphic image of severe kidney stones has been circulating for years online, with a message about the dangers of consuming too many energy drinks.

One version of the photo, which has been shared hundreds of thousands of times on Facebook, claims that it “belonged to someone who overindulged in energy drinks” and tells other users, “Show this to folks that’s [sic] addicted”.

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But experts say that while guzzling gallons of the stuff isn't advisable, the viral post doesn't paint an entirely accurate picture. i spoke to one urologist who warned that he's seen a rise in young people suffering with the condition which he blames on increased consumption of protein drinks.

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. They are quite common with around three in 20 men and up to two in 20 women developing them at some stage of their lives, according to the NHS. Stones can develop in one or both kidneys and most often affect people aged 30 to 60.

Small kidney stones may go undetected and be passed out painlessly in the urine. But it's fairly common for a stone to block part of the urinary system which can cause severe pain in the abdomen or groin and sometimes causes a urinary tract infection (UTI).


Is there a link between kidney stones and energy drinks?

Kidney stones are usually formed following a build-up of certain chemicals in the body, such as calcium, oxalate, uric acid and cysteine, according to the NHS. Most are calcium stones, usually in the form of calcium oxalate. Energy drinks and other caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea and soda contain oxalate, hence the belief that they can cause the problem.

Spire consultant urologist Subu Subramonian confirmed that the case pictured did appear to be kidney stones. However, he said such a severe case is unlikely to be caused entirely by excessive consumption of energy drinks.

"The appearance suggests that the patient may have a congenital condition such as renal tubular acidosis which predispose them to multiple calcification in the meat and tubes of the kidney due to a fault in the filtration mechanism for calcium in the micro tubes of the kidney. This condition leads to recurrent and multiple stones in the kidney and patient may end up with some kidney dysfunction as well."

He explained that kidney stones often have no definite, single cause, and that several factors increase risk. "Other contributing factors in play here could be inadequate water intake (as in most patients with kidney stones) and high consumption of animal protein and salt," he said.

"Although energy drinks could be responsible for a number of health hazards such diabetes due to excessive sugar content, there is no direct evidence to link it with kidney stone disease. It has been shown that people with diabetes have more incidence of kidney stones and therefore there might be indirect link."

Therefore, drinking a lot of energy drinks isn't a good idea for their sugar content, but this alone is very unlikely to cause kidney stones. "Kidney stones tend to be calcium based, but it usually has no relationship with consuming calcium through diet and supplements," added Mr Subramonian.

The risks of protein drinks

A diet rich in animal protein, because of its high purine content, which produces uric acid as it metabolises, may increase the risk of uric acid stone formation, experts say.

Mr Subramonian said: "As a stone specialist, I am more worried more about the recent trend in increased consumption of protein drinks amongst youngsters as I see a lot of these young people coming to my stone clinic with new onset kidney stones. This is a trend I am seeing more recently over the last 10 years as protein drinks are promoted by sports shops, advertisements and even some gym trainers.

"My advice to the public is to drink at least two litres of water a day and eat a healthy balanced diet to prevent kidney stones."

5 steps for preventing kidney stones

The following advice appears from an expert on a Harvard Health Blog:






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