Kidney Stones & Alcohol – The Untold Truth You Need to Know
Ankita Rai | Thu, 13 Feb 2025
Kidney stones and gallstones can be incredibly painful—like tiny, jagged rocks cutting through your body. The idea that something as easy (and enjoyable for some) as drinking beer could help get rid of them sounds too good to be true. But is there any real science behind this claim, or is it just another health myth?
( Image credit : Pexels )
Photo:
We’ve all heard it before—“Drink beer, and your kidney stones will pass easily!” Sounds tempting, right? If only it were that simple!
Let’s uncover the truth—and save you from making things worse.
Your kidneys work hard to clean your blood and remove toxins from your body, while your gallbladder helps break down fats with the bile stored inside it. Sounds like a dream team, right?
But when tiny particles start clumping together, they can form stones—which can be agonizingly painful to pass. If left untreated, these stones can mess up your body’s natural processes, leading to infections, blockages, and even kidney damage.
This is why people desperately look for solutions—including that beer trick we keep hearing about.
Here’s where things get interesting. The logic behind this claim is simple:
Beer makes you urinate more
More urine might help flush out small stones
So, beer = kidney stone cure?
Not so fast.
Yes, beer is a diuretic, meaning it increases urination. But the reality is that beer DOES NOT dissolve or remove kidney stones.
In fact, drinking too much beer can actually make things worse. How?
Dehydration: Alcohol pulls water from your body, making kidney stones more likely to form.
Increased Oxalate Levels: Beer contains oxalates, which contribute to kidney stone formation.
Potential Blockages: If the stone is big, beer will increase urine production without actually helping it pass, leading to even more pain and discomfort.
So, if you thought beer was a magic cure, I hate to break it to you—but it’s not.
This is another big question. According to the American Addiction Centers (AAC), there is no solid evidence that alcohol directly causes kidney stones. However, heavy drinking can lead to:
Kidney failure
High blood pressure
A weak immune system
Mental health struggles
And guess what? Some of these conditions increase the risk of kidney stones. So while alcohol isn’t the root cause, it certainly doesn’t help.
Blame it on the old-school home remedies that get passed down like family heirlooms.
The logic makes sense at first—beer makes you pee more, and more urine should help flush out stones. But here’s the catch:
If the stone is tiny (under 5mm), sure—peeing more might help push it out.
But if it’s larger than that, beer does NOTHING except make your pain worse.
Not to mention, if you already have a blockage, drinking beer can increase the pressure in your urinary tract, making the situation even more painful.
What Science Actually Says
A report by the AAC states clearly: Beer does not dissolve or remove kidney stones.
In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently confirmed that there is no “safe” amount of alcohol—meaning even that one beer might do more harm than good.
Now, there are some sources—like Max Hospital—that suggest beer might help pass very small stones because it increases urination. But even they warn that it won’t work for larger stones and can make your condition worse if you already have pain or blockage.
Before you grab that beer thinking it’ll save you from a painful kidney stone, keep these risks in mind:
Beer won’t dissolve stones – It only increases urine flow, which might help very small stones but won’t do anything for bigger ones.
Too much beer = dehydration – This makes it easier for stones to form in the first place!
Beer increases oxalates – High oxalate levels contribute to kidney stones, so beer might actually make things worse in the long run.
If you already have a blockage, beer will make it more painful – Imagine trying to force something through a clogged pipe—it won’t work!
So, what actually works? Here’s what doctors recommend:
Drink plenty of water – The easiest and most effective way to prevent stones.
Watch your diet – Cut down on excessive salt, sugar, and oxalate-rich foods like spinach and nuts.
Limit alcohol and caffeine – Both can contribute to dehydration, making kidney stones more likely.
Talk to a doctor – If you’re in pain or struggling to pass a stone, don’t try risky home remedies—get professional help!
NO.
There’s no scientific proof that beer can remove kidney stones. While it might increase urine flow, it does not break down stones—and in many cases, it could make things worse.
So instead of relying on beer, focus on staying hydrated, eating right, and seeking medical advice when needed. Your kidneys will thank you!
Let’s uncover the truth—and save you from making things worse.
Why Kidney and Gallstones Are a Big Deal
Kidney stone
( Image credit : Freepik )
But when tiny particles start clumping together, they can form stones—which can be agonizingly painful to pass. If left untreated, these stones can mess up your body’s natural processes, leading to infections, blockages, and even kidney damage.
This is why people desperately look for solutions—including that beer trick we keep hearing about.
Does Beer Really Help Remove Kidney Stones?
Here’s where things get interesting. The logic behind this claim is simple:
Beer makes you urinate more
More urine might help flush out small stones
So, beer = kidney stone cure?
Not so fast.
Yes, beer is a diuretic, meaning it increases urination. But the reality is that beer DOES NOT dissolve or remove kidney stones.
In fact, drinking too much beer can actually make things worse. How?
Dehydration: Alcohol pulls water from your body, making kidney stones more likely to form.
Increased Oxalate Levels: Beer contains oxalates, which contribute to kidney stone formation.
Potential Blockages: If the stone is big, beer will increase urine production without actually helping it pass, leading to even more pain and discomfort.
So, if you thought beer was a magic cure, I hate to break it to you—but it’s not.
Does Alcohol Cause Kidney Stones?
beer
( Image credit : Pexels )
Kidney failure
High blood pressure
A weak immune system
Mental health struggles
And guess what? Some of these conditions increase the risk of kidney stones. So while alcohol isn’t the root cause, it certainly doesn’t help.
Then Why Do People Think Beer Helps?
Blame it on the old-school home remedies that get passed down like family heirlooms.
The logic makes sense at first—beer makes you pee more, and more urine should help flush out stones. But here’s the catch:
If the stone is tiny (under 5mm), sure—peeing more might help push it out.
But if it’s larger than that, beer does NOTHING except make your pain worse.
Not to mention, if you already have a blockage, drinking beer can increase the pressure in your urinary tract, making the situation even more painful.
What Science Actually Says
A report by the AAC states clearly: Beer does not dissolve or remove kidney stones.
In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently confirmed that there is no “safe” amount of alcohol—meaning even that one beer might do more harm than good.
Now, there are some sources—like Max Hospital—that suggest beer might help pass very small stones because it increases urination. But even they warn that it won’t work for larger stones and can make your condition worse if you already have pain or blockage.
The Risks of Using Beer as a Kidney Stone Remedy
beer
( Image credit : Pexels )
Beer won’t dissolve stones – It only increases urine flow, which might help very small stones but won’t do anything for bigger ones.
Too much beer = dehydration – This makes it easier for stones to form in the first place!
Beer increases oxalates – High oxalate levels contribute to kidney stones, so beer might actually make things worse in the long run.
If you already have a blockage, beer will make it more painful – Imagine trying to force something through a clogged pipe—it won’t work!
The Right Way to Prevent and Treat Kidney Stones
human kidney
Drink plenty of water – The easiest and most effective way to prevent stones.
Watch your diet – Cut down on excessive salt, sugar, and oxalate-rich foods like spinach and nuts.
Limit alcohol and caffeine – Both can contribute to dehydration, making kidney stones more likely.
Talk to a doctor – If you’re in pain or struggling to pass a stone, don’t try risky home remedies—get professional help!
The Verdict: Should You Drink Beer for Kidney Stones?
NO.
There’s no scientific proof that beer can remove kidney stones. While it might increase urine flow, it does not break down stones—and in many cases, it could make things worse.
So instead of relying on beer, focus on staying hydrated, eating right, and seeking medical advice when needed. Your kidneys will thank you!
