DALLAS, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say a daily glass of orange juice can help prevent the recurrence of kidney stones better than other citrus juices such as lemonade.
Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas say many people assume that all citrus fruit juices help prevent the formation of kidney stones, but not all have the same effect.
Medically managing recurrent kidney stones requires dietary and lifestyle changes as well as treatment such as the addition of potassium citrate, which has been shown to lower the rate of new stone formation in patients with kidney stones, according to lead author Dr. Clarita Odvina.
"Orange juice could potentially play an important role in the management of kidney stone disease and may be considered an option for patients who are intolerant of potassium citrate," Odvina said.
All citrus juices contain citrate, a negatively charged form of citric acid that gives a sour taste to citrus fruits. The researchers compared orange juice and lemonade -- juices with comparable citrate contents -- and found that the components that accompany the citrate can alter the effectiveness of the juice in decreasing the risk of developing new kidney stones.
The study is available online and is scheduled to be published in the Oct. 26 issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
