Study shows drinking diet soda may inhibit calcium stones

LINTHICUM, Md. Patients with stone disease could benefit from drinking diet soda, according to new research from the University of California, San Francisco.

The research suggests that the citrate and malate content in commonly consumed sodas may be sufficient to inhibit the development of calcium stones.

Increased alkalinity is proven to augment citraturia, a known factor for calcium stones. Malate increases the amount of alkali delivered. Researchers measured the citrate and malate content of 15 popular diet sodas. The researchers found that Diet Sunkist Orange contained the greatest amount of total alkali and Diet 7-Up had the greatest amount of citrate as alkali.

“This study by no means suggests that patients with recurrent kidney stones should trade in their water bottles for soda cans,” stated Anthony Smith, spokesman for the American Urological Association. “However, this study suggests instead that patients with stone disease who do not drink soda may benefit from moderate consumption.”