Does Alcohol Cause Kidney Stones?

If you enjoy an occasional beer or glass of wine, you may have heard rumors that alcohol causes kidney stones. But what does the science actually say? The truth is more nuanced: alcohol itself isn’t a direct cause of kidney stones, but certain drinking habits can increase your risk. Here’s what you need to know.

How Kidney Stones Form

Kidney stones develop when minerals and salts like calcium, oxalate, uric acid, or a lack of inhibitors such as citrate concentrate or interact in the urine and crystallize. Citrate is particularly important because it binds to calcium and helps prevent stone formation. Factors like dehydration, high oxalate foods, certain medical conditions, and genetics play a role. There are different types of stones—calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, and cystine stones—each with unique risk factors.

Can Alcohol Directly Cause Kidney Stones?

No, alcohol doesn’t directly cause kidney stones. However, it can contribute to dehydration, which is a key risk factor for stone formation. When you drink alcohol, especially in large quantities, your body loses more fluids through urine. If you don’t replace that fluid with enough water, your urine becomes more concentrated, making it easier for stones to form.

See related: Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease. Know the CKD Symptoms

Beer and Uric Acid Stones

Beer is rich in purines, natural compounds that break down into uric acid. In high amounts, purines can raise uric acid levels, which may lead to uric acid stones—especially in people who are already predisposed. Chronic heavy beer consumption might increase this risk, particularly in men who already have a higher baseline risk for these types of stones.

What About Wine and Spirits?

Moderate wine or spirit consumption hasn’t been directly linked to kidney stone formation. Red wine contains antioxidants like resveratrol, which may offer cardiovascular benefits. However, its impact on kidney function or stone formation is still unproven, and there's no strong evidence it helps prevent stones. Still, excessive alcohol in any form can disrupt normal kidney function and fluid balance.

Does Alcohol Dehydrate You Enough to Cause Stones?

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it makes you urinate more. If you don’t hydrate properly alongside alcohol consumption, this can lead to temporary dehydration. It’s not that a single drink causes stones, but repeated episodes of dehydration can increase the risk, especially in hot climates or with heavy alcohol use.

Natural Remedies

Hydration is the cornerstone of kidney stone prevention. Drinking plenty of water (2 liters or 8 glasses a day) helps flush minerals from your kidneys, though individual fluid needs may vary depending on your climate, physical activity, and overall health status. Lemon water, which contains citrate, may help prevent calcium oxalate stones by reducing crystallization, but it isn’t a guaranteed remedy. Herbal teas or supplements should be discussed with your doctor.

Alcohol and Medications for Stones

Alcohol can interact with pain relievers often used during a kidney stone episode, such as NSAIDs or opioids. It may also affect liver metabolism, indirectly impacting medications prescribed for chronic stone prevention, like allopurinol or potassium citrate. Moderation is key.

Can Kidney Stones Appear After Drinking?

While it may feel like symptoms strike suddenly after a night out, stones don’t form overnight. Most likely, the stone was already present and alcohol-induced dehydration helped trigger its movement. If you experience flank pain, blood in urine, or nausea after drinking, consult a healthcare provider.

Are Men More at Risk?

Yes. Men have a higher lifetime risk of developing kidney stones than women, and heavy alcohol use may contribute to this risk indirectly. Lifestyle, diet, and hydration habits all play a role.

Does Alcohol Damage the Kidneys?

Long-term heavy drinking can harm kidney function. In cases of liver damage (like cirrhosis), a condition called hepatorenal syndrome can occur, where the kidneys begin to fail. This is rare and typically seen in advanced liver disease, but it highlights the importance of drinking responsibly.

Do At-Home Urine Tests Help?

At-home urine test strips can give you insight into hydration status and basic markers like pH or protein, but they don’t detect oxalate or uric acid. However, consistently abnormal readings—such as acidic pH or elevated protein—might still prompt your healthcare provider to investigate further for underlying issues, including stone risk. For a complete risk assessment, your doctor may recommend a 24-hour urine collection to analyze stone-related substances.

Bottom Line

Alcohol isn’t a direct cause of kidney stones, but poor drinking habits—like binge drinking without water—can increase your risk. Staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and understanding your personal risk factors is key.

Check In on Your Kidney Health at Home

Ribbon Checkup’s at-home urine test kits help you monitor key health markers with ease. While they don't replace lab testing for kidney stones, they offer a convenient way to track hydration, pH, and protein levels—all of which support kidney wellness.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you’re prone to stones or have experienced symptoms, consult your doctor for testing and prevention strategies. Your kidneys will thank you!

Key Takeaways: Alcohol and Kidney Stones

So, does alcohol cause kidney stones? Not directly in every case—but it definitely plays a role in increasing risk, especially through dehydration and mineral imbalance. If you have a history of stones or other risk factors, it's smart to be cautious with alcohol. Prevention is possible with smart habits.

Stay hydrated, eat a kidney-friendly diet, monitor your health, and don’t hesitate to speak to a professional. Whether you choose to reduce or eliminate alcohol entirely, the key is being intentional and informed. Your kidneys will thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can one glass of wine cause a kidney stone? Probably not—but if you're prone to stones, it's best to stay hydrated and keep your overall alcohol intake low.

Is beer better or worse than liquor for kidney stones? Beer may lead to uric acid buildup, while liquor is more dehydrating. Both carry risks if not consumed responsibly.

What’s the best way to prevent kidney stones if I drink? Drink water with every alcoholic beverage, avoid high-oxalate foods, and consider speaking with a doctor about supplements or tests.

Related resources

• ·       Urine Protein Test Strips: How to Use Them
• ·       Why Does UTI Cause Proteinuria?
• ·       How to Reverse Kidney Damage from Diabetes

Resources and References

• Ferraro, P. M., Taylor, E. N., & Curhan, G. C. (2022). Factors associated with sex differences in the risk of kidney stones. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 38(1), 177–183. https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfac037
• George, C., Leslie, S. W., & Minter, D. A. (2023, October 14). Hyperuricemia. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459218/
• Katella, K. (2023, April 19). What causes Kidney stones? Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/what-causes-kidney-stones
• Pain medicines and kidney disease. (n.d.). National Kidney Foundation. https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/pain-medicines-and-kidney-disease
• Polhuis, K., Wijnen, A., Sierksma, A., Calame, W., & Tieland, M. (2017). The diuretic action of weak and strong alcoholic beverages in elderly men: a Randomized Diet-Controlled Crossover trial. Nutrients, 9(7), 660. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9070660
• Ruggenenti, P., Caruso, M. R., Cortinovis, M., Perna, A., Peracchi, T., Giuliano, G. A., Rota, S., Brambilla, P., Invernici, G., Villa, D., Diadei, O., Trillini, M., Natali, G., & Remuzzi, G. (2021). Fresh lemon juice supplementation for the prevention of recurrent stones in calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis: A pragmatic, prospective, randomised, open, blinded endpoint (PROBE) trial. EClinicalMedicine, 43, 101227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101227
• Sharp, A. (2024, August 16). Can alcohol cause kidney stones? | American Addiction Centers. American Addiction Centers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcohol/rehab-treatment/kidney-stones
• Vidavalur, R., Otani, H., Singal, P. K., & Maulik, N. (n.d.). Significance of wine and resveratrol in cardiovascular disease: French paradox revisited. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2276147/