News India Live, Digital Desk: Have you ever felt the pain of kidney stones or seen someone suffering from them? It is said that this pain is like “Labor Pain”. God forbid this happens to anyone. But do you know that sometimes we ourselves are unknowingly laying the foundation of stones in our kidneys?
We often think that we eat clean and healthy home-made food, then where did these stones come from? the answer is Oxalate.
Yes, there are many food items which are good for health, but if eaten in excess, they can start a kidney stone factory. Let us understand in simple language what this oxalate is, in which things it is found and how you can balance it.
What is this oxalate?
In simple words, oxalate is a natural compound which is found in plants. When we eat foods containing oxalate, our kidneys try to remove it through urine. But when there is less water in the body or there is too much oxalate, it sticks with the calcium present there and forms crystals.
These crystals gradually accumulate and form stone i.e. ‘Calcium-Oxalate Stone’ Take the form of.
Attention These things are full of oxalate
Here is a list of foods that we consider very healthy (and they are), but may be a little ‘risky’ for kidney stones:
- Spinach: “Popeye’s” favorite, spinach, is the king of iron, but it is high in oxalate. If you have stone problem, avoid drinking raw spinach or spinach juice.
- Beetroot: Beetroot, which increases blood, is also rich in oxalate.
- Dry Fruits (Nuts): Almonds and cashews are good for health, but you have to think before eating a handful because they contain a lot of oxalate.
- Sweet Potato and Ladyfinger: These vegetables also fall in the high oxalate category.
- Tea and Chocolate: Bad news for tea lovers—this ingredient is found in both tea and dark chocolate.
So should we stop eating all this? (No, follow this method)
Don’t panic! You don’t need to give up spinach-cheese or almonds. You just have to change the way you eat it. This ‘Smart Eating’ They say.
- Make friends of calcium and oxalate: Whenever you eat oxalate rich foods (like spinach), take calcium rich foods (like curd, milk or cheese) along with it.
- How does magic happen? Calcium and oxalate mix with each other in the stomach and are excreted, they are unable to reach the kidneys. That means eating ‘Palak Paneer’ is safe!
- Water, water and just water: The biggest enemy of kidney stones is ‘water’. Drink so much water throughout the day that the color of urine remains completely clear. Water does not allow these chemicals to accumulate.
- Reduce salt: Consuming too much salt increases the amount of calcium in urine, which later turns into stones. You will have to give up the temptation of chips, papad and pickles.
