Sugary Beverages Boost Chronic Kidney Disease Risk

Many studies have been conducted on the role of diet in both the prevention and development of chronic kidney disease. Sugary beverages are one type of drink that has been comprehensively studied. So a question that could be going through your mind right now is, can sugary beverages increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease?

A team of Iranian scientists provided the answer to this question in their study titled "Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Risk of Incident Chronic Kidney Disease: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study." The researchers tracked soft drink consumption rates of 2,382 individuals aged 27 years and above, comparing the chronic kidney disease odds ratios of all the participants in this study. The team of investigators discovered that individuals who consistently drank over 4 servings of sugared drinks per week were more likely to suffer chronic kidney disease than persons with little or no intake of these beverages. Further evidence pointing to the chronic kidney disease-promoting effect of sugar-sweetened beverages can be found in a 2014 study published in the Journal of Nephrology.

The researchers postulated that the high fructose corn syrup in sugary beverages might be responsible for the positive association between these drinks and chronic kidney disease. A study published in the International Journal of Nephrology reported that high fructose corn syrup can increase plasma levels of uric acid. The kidneys over-work themselves to excrete the excess uric acids floating in the bloodstream, making them more prone to damage. 

In addition, habitual intake of sugary beverages contributes to hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Kidney disease is commonly caused by diabetes and hypertension.

With more than 600,000 Americans suffering from chronic kidney disease, this illness is now a major threat. Regular drinking of sugar-sweetened beverages can boost your chances of joining the hundreds of thousands of people battling with this kidney condition. Therefore, consider switching to water instead of drinking sweetened beverages.  Healing your taste-buds to the point of preferring water is worth the effort and time it may take. Water is still the healthiest drink available.

Additional Information:

(1) The Impact of Fructose on Renal Function and Blood Pressure

(2) Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Risk of Incident Chronic Kidney Disease: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

(3) Kidney Disease Statistics for the United States