Diet drinks could prevent kidney stones

New research suggests diet soft drinks may lower the risk of developing kidney stones.

Scientists from the University of California in San Francisco found two ingredients commonly found in the drinks help neutralise alkalinity in the body, which is a major factor in the formation of kidney stones.

The team recommend Diet 7-Up and Diet Sunkist as the drinks with the most potential of preventing kidney stones.

But a spokesman for the American Urological Association warned people not to put all their faith in diet drinks.

Dr Anthony Smith said: “This study by no means suggests that patients with recurrent kidney stones should trade in their water bottles for soda cans.

“However, this study suggests instead that patients with stone disease who do not drink soda may benefit from moderate consumption.”

About 40,000 people in the UK suffer from kidney stones each year, and 60 per cent of those who develop them will do so more than once. Men are three times more likely to be affected than women.