Every day, millions of people around the world drink coffee. Whether in the morning, after lunch or at any other time of the day, it is a drink that gives energy and comfort. Because it is so consumed, over the years several studies have been published on its impact on health. And it seems that many of the conclusions show that it does more good than harm.
One of the most controversial issues, says the website 20 Minutos, is the effect it has on kidney health. And there is contradictory evidence.
Many investigations seem to indicate that coffee consumption is, indeed, beneficial for the kidneys. A 2022 study published in the scientific journal Kidney International Reports concluded that daily coffee consumption reduces the risk of acute kidney injury by up to 15%. Those who drink two to three cups a day see this percentage increase to 22%, meaning there is even less chance of suffering from this problem.
Another study published in the Journal of Renal Nutrition indicated coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease.
But not everything seems to be benefits. If, on the one hand, many studies show the positive impact of coffee, there are also those that warn about the worst side of consuming this drink. An investigation published in JAMA Network Open made a link between excessive coffee consumption and a greater likelihood of having albuminuria – high presence of albuminuria in the urine -, hypertension and hyperfiltration, a functional anomaly and a relative predictive factor of kidney failure.
A 2021 study published in Scientific Reports indicates that the consumption of caffeinated drinks – that is, not just coffee – is related to greater deterioration in kidney function.
These contradictory studies arise because coffee has several active components, including caffeine, which affect different people in different ways. For example, if on the one hand caffeine acts as a diuretic and helps prevent the accumulation of minerals in the kidneys, on the other hand, it can increase blood pressure and hypertension can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys.
The conclusion presented in the 20 Minutos article is that most people will not have problems with moderate coffee consumption. However, it is important to be aware of health issues and adapt consumption.
