Dark-colored cola may cause kidney disease

Posted on Nov 30th 2007 2:11PM by Chris Sparling

Filed Under: Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health

It appears as though there may be a risk to drinking diet soda after all, although it has nothing to do with the alleged risk of obesity. Rather, there is evidence to suggest that drinking dark-colored diet cola (and dark-colored regular cola) can increase your risk of kidney disease.

Based on a report published in the journal Epidemiology, drinking two or more dark-colored sodas -- such as Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, and similar generic brands -- per day doubles your chances of kidney disease.

The phosphoric acid found in dark colas, but not in clear sodas such as Sprite and 7-Up, is what gives it its unique taste, but also what may lead to the development of kidney stones. This, in turn, can potentially lead to complications and disease.

I suppose this is yet another reason to just stick to plain ol' water.

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Tags: Chris Sparling, ChrisSparling, Coke, cola, Epidemiology, kidney disease, KidneyDisease, Pepsi

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Lynn 2-05-2008 @ 8:14PM

This sure makes sense.
I had kidney stone surgery at age 23 (1cm stone!) BAD!
No prior history except for a few UTI's just before this.
I am now 55 yrs old and had no further incidents for past 32 years! BUT for past 2 years, been having left side, back, flank, groin pain - transient, but always left side(same side as surgery). And sometimes pretty bad but no doctors as I avoid them whenever possible.
Two weeks ago, I did some research & I now think I've been suffering once again from stones. (I was eating hi oxalate foods in large quantities, daily!) I am now treating self with Magnesium, B6, 3 liters of daily water, lemon juice, increased calcium & Andrographis (for the blood, protein & leukocytes in my urine test strips - I bought the strips online - good idea) The test strips are getting better but it takes time. Others may opt to see dr. for antibiotics, but I'm trying natural antibiotic - Andrographis. I am assuming my bouts cause these things in my urine. I had never tested my urine before a I never thought stones, only diverticulitis. The urine strips confirmed possible stones as after you pass them, you could end up with stuff in your urine)
I never was allowed to drink soda as a child so Pepsi couldn't have caused stones at age 23. (that stone was caused by no calcium in my diet - I hated milk & dairy as a child)
About 3 years ago,I got hooked on on the Pepsi, drinking at least a can/day. (& probably the reason I'm having bouts for the past 2 years)
So everyone quit the colas! And also avoid all nuts and chocolate (I was also drinking hot cocoa daily)
Lastly - 30 years ago I was told to avoid calcium after my surgery!! (I thought this was crazy at that time as I never ingested calcium- I hated milk and dairy as a child -still do.)
I'm hoping that all that I'm doing now will cease the growth of whatever stones I already have. Calcium oxalate stones are the only stones that cannot be dissolved unfortunately.
Do some online research as this is where I got almost all my information. Good health to all!

Squirrel03 12-01-2007 @ 6:23AM

dark sodas also cause UTI's for those that are already prone to them

Dawn 12-01-2007 @ 8:20AM

I have to agree with this story.
For years I had problems with my bladder control. I was only 36 yrs old at the time.
Eventually it was discovered that I had a very rare tumor in my bladder. Luckily for me, the fine doctors at Cleveland Clinic were able to remove the tumor and save 2/3 of my bladder in the process.
I was told not to drink soda pop, and if I did, not to drink dark soda pop. The caramel color in it along with the phosphoric acid can cause problems for the bladder and the kidneys. Since that time, I only drink clear soda pop, if I drink any at all.

Munky 12-01-2007 @ 7:07AM

I used to get horrible urinary tract infections when I was drinking Diet Pepsi. My urine was red with blood, very painful. I haven't touched soda or coffee in over 10 years and now drink cranberry juice and water.

paradisemummy 12-01-2007 @ 7:12AM

I quit drinking dark colas and within a week my fibromyalgia went away. I've been pain-free for a year after ten years of suffering horrible pain. I came to the conclusion I had been poisioning myself.

Jenn 12-01-2007 @ 7:41AM

I work in dialysis and our patients are not allowed to have dark colored sodas because of the phosphorus. Phosphorus can lead to heart attack, stroke or even death because that can build up and harden your arteries. And normal people can digest that out, my patients can't. But if they want to have a dark colored soda, they must take their binders with that. Moral of the story, stay away from dark colored sodas, even if you aren't on dialysis.

Susie 12-01-2007 @ 7:42AM

I agree completely. 14 years ago I did have kidney disease and my doctor told me then ... do NOT drink any dark colas. Only clear sodas.
Now I only drink Fresca.
Thanks for writing about this!
PS My kidneys are in great shape today!

G.L. 12-01-2007 @ 6:22PM

It just proves,once again,that man-made concoctions aimed at financial prosperity are never better than natural food sources.But humans can be so ignorant that they usally don't discover the consequences of abusing man-made foods until it's too late.

jus4info 12-14-2007 @ 12:45PM

DUH. Calcium and Phosphorus have a seasaw rratio. When increaded amounts of phosphates are ingested, the kidneys must filter the stuff. Too much then phosphate stones. R eaonable physiological response. Plus, there can be a calcium deficincy.

Aunt Bea 12-01-2007 @ 8:37AM

Yes, this is true. I always had the feeling that the Diet Pepsi my husband was drinking all day long for about 400 years was hurting him. He ended up with kidney stones, an operation for that, a triple bypass, present heaert problems, and has now been on dialysis for 4 years.

m 12-01-2007 @ 8:39AM

Thats it Im switching to light colored beer

Lacey 12-01-2007 @ 8:48AM

like drinking dark colored pop is the only thing to worry about and cause these things and its based on "a" study..how bout as a start we cut out all the cigarettes first? my mother is 93 and has a glass of DARK pop (oh the horror!!!) every day... maybe we should see if they can pop up a study on that? i wonder what else these people did harful to their health that caused their conditions? or where they living in a bubble just drinking dark colored pop? get real

dominick 12-02-2007 @ 9:36AM

in reference to dark colas, i also am a dialsis patient and my dr. told me to lay off the dark colas because it was basically killing my kidneys.posted dec.1,2007@7:49a.m.

A Hall, M.D. 12-01-2007 @ 8:53AM

I have discouraged the use of colas for years....

A Hall, M.D. 12-01-2007 @ 10:36PM

Moderation is good. Some of my patients drink 2-3 liters of sodas daily.

Mike 12-01-2007 @ 9:06AM

Horrow of the day. Who's taxes are paying for all these "studies", anyway? You want to know what the #1 health problem is in this Country? It's OBESITY.

Ricky whitten 12-01-2007 @ 9:13AM

"M" had the correct answer-next question?

deniserugratstr 12-01-2007 @ 9:21AM

I hate stories like this because it is under reported how BAD ASPERTAME is. That will kill you and cause problems more than anything!

Vektron51 12-01-2007 @ 9:46AM

My 50-year-old wife drinks gallons of diet cola each month. Last year, she had kidney stones. She still drinks diet cola even though I've urged her to quit. I myself have consumed gallons of sugar cola over the years. I'm presently awaiting CT scan results for possible cysts on my kidneys. My family physician has warned me of possible diabetes from drinking so much sugar cola. As a nation of cola consumers, we all need to cut back on our ingesting of these poisons and toxins.

hewalk 12-01-2007 @ 7:49PM

I have been a lifelong Coke addict and have just been diagnosed with a kidney stone - the most painful experience of my life. I have switched to water and this post simply reinforces my decision.

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