Using an electric kettle is convenient and saves time, so many people choose to boil water in it. However, after a while, you may notice yellowish scale inside the kettle. Does drinking water with scale really cause kidney stones?
Why does an electric kettle develop scale?
The scale in an electric kettle mainly comes from the water.
Typically, water contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which are difficult to dissolve. After being heated, these minerals form calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, which precipitate in the kettle and eventually form scale.
Based on the amount of scale, the water we drink can be divided into "hard water" and "soft water":
Hard water contains more scale and includes river water, well water, spring water, and lake water, among others.
On the other hand, soft water has a lower scale content and usually refers to rainwater, snow water, and distilled water.
Does drinking water with scale cause kidney stones?
In daily life, the water we drink is mostly hard water, which contains high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. However, as long as the water quality meets the national "Hygienic Standard for Drinking Water" and the pH value is maintained between 6.6 and 8.5, it generally does not cause any trouble to the body.
However, when using hard water, it is advisable to boil it to kill any bacteria in the water.
If you use a kettle with scale to boil water, it actually doesn't have much impact on the body. When the body ingests calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, these substances will be decomposed by stomach acid into calcium and magnesium ions.
Some of these ions will be reabsorbed and utilized by the body, but the vast majority will be excreted with urine. Therefore, there is no need to worry about kidney stone problems.
Causes of kidney stones
The formation of kidney stones is mainly caused by certain factors that increase the concentration of crystal substances in the urine or decrease their solubility, resulting in a state of supersaturation and the eventual formation of stones due to crystallization, growth, and accumulation in a local area.
Many factors (including gender, age, genetics, environmental factors, diet, medication, occupation, race, etc.) can potentially cause kidney stone disease.
Of course, many diseases can also cause the formation of kidney stones, such as high blood sugar, hyperparathyroidism, vitamin B6 deficiency, urinary obstruction, infection, etc.
Precautions for kidney stone patients
Patients with kidney stones should actively seek medical treatment in regular hospitals and pay attention to various aspects of their daily life and diet.
It is important to have a light diet and consume more fresh fruits and vegetables.
Avoid excessive consumption of strong tea, coffee, animal offal, soy products, and high-calcium foods. Engage in appropriate exercise and maintain a positive and optimistic attitude.
How to prevent kidney stones
1. Drink plenty of water
Regardless of the type of kidney stones you have, the most important preventive measure is to increase your water intake.
Water can dilute urine and prevent the accumulation of high concentrations of salts and minerals into stones.
The recommended water intake is to produce 2 liters of urine per day. If you work under the hot sun all day, you need to drink 2 gallons of water.
2. Increase fiber intake
Adding bran to your diet can help prevent the formation of stones.
3. Control calcium intake
30% of kidney stones are formed by calcium or calcium-containing products.
If your previous stone was mainly composed of calcium, you need to pay attention to your calcium intake. For example,
If you are taking nutritional supplements, you should first consult a doctor to see if it is necessary.
Also, check the daily intake of high-calcium foods, including milk, cheese, cream, and other dairy products. Milk and antacids may contribute to kidney stone formation.
4. Stay active
People who are sedentary are more likely to accumulate calcium in their blood. Exercise helps calcium flow to the bones where it belongs. Don't just sit around waiting for kidney stones to form; go outside for a walk or exercise.
5. Monitor protein intake
There is a direct correlation between protein intake and kidney stones. Protein can cause the appearance of uric acid, calcium, and phosphorus in urine, leading to stone formation.
If you have had calcium stones in the past, pay special attention to whether you have consumed excessive amounts of protein, especially if you have a history of excessive uric acid or cystine stones.
Limit your daily intake of high-protein foods to 180 grams, including meat, cheese, chicken, and fish.
