Beware: What Happens to Your Kidneys If You Drink Cola Daily?

Al-Wasat Iraqi newspaper - Follow-up

A medical website has warned against excessive consumption of carbonated cola drinks because of the risks they pose to kidney health, especially in people more susceptible to kidney disease.

According to Verywell Health, dark cola contains phosphoric acid, which gives it its tangy taste and helps preserve it.

This form of phosphorus is absorbed quickly, and excessive intake may raise phosphorus levels in the body.

The kidneys play a key role in eliminating excess phosphorus and maintaining its balance with calcium.

When phosphorus levels rise, this balance can be disrupted, triggering secretion of the parathyroid hormone, which helps the body regulate calcium and phosphorus levels.

This issue becomes more significant for people with chronic kidney disease, as elevated phosphorus can lead to further disturbances in mineral and hormone balance and may be associated with disease progression.

Disruptions in calcium and phosphorus and increased urinary calcium excretion can also contribute to a higher risk of kidney stone formation, particularly in those more prone to them.

Regular cola often contains large amounts of added sugar, with a single serving reaching about 30 to 40 grams.

Regular consumption of sweetened beverages is linked to weight gain, insulin resistance and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Cola also contains caffeine, which has a mild diuretic effect. Moderate caffeine intake is not believed to cause chronic kidney disease, but excessive consumption may be associated with high blood pressure.

Chronic high blood pressure is an important risk factor for kidney disease, and relying on soft drinks instead of water may reduce overall fluid intake, which can increase the risk of kidney stones in some people.

For most healthy adults, occasional cola consumption is unlikely to cause noticeable kidney damage.

However, large observational studies have found an association between consuming more than one sugar‑sweetened beverage per day and about a 19% increased risk of chronic kidney disease.

Therefore, water, sparkling water, unsweetened tea and water flavored with fruit or cucumber remain better hydration choices, especially for people with diabetes, chronic kidney disease or a history of kidney stones.