Heart-Healthy Diets May Reduce Risk of Kidney Stones

Findings Suggest Heart-Healthy Diets May Reduce Risk of Kidney Stones

Mike Mitka

JAMA. 2009;302(10):1048.

A diet that is intended to improve blood pressure and cardiovascular health may also reduce the risk of kidney stone formation.

A new study found that individuals whose food consumption best reflected the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet were up to 45% less likely to develop kidney stones compared with those whose eating habits were least reflective of DASH (Taylor EN et al. J Am Soc Nephrol. 10.1681/ASN.2009030276 [published online August 13, 2009]). The DASH diet, which is associated with reduced risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease, emphasizes eating high levels of fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains, and low levels of salt, sweetened beverages, and red and processed meats./.../