July 20, 2007- Drinking more than two glasses of cola per day could double the risk of suffering from chronic kidney problems, according to an American study1.
According to the results, the consumption of soft drinks other than cola is not, however, associated with a risk of developing chronic kidney disease.2.
The substance in question is said to be phosphoric acid, which is used both as a preservative and as an acidifier in colas. In other soft drinks, citric acid is added instead. Previous studies have shown that phosphoric acid is linked to long-term kidney damage and promotes the formation of kidney stones. Researchers don’t believe caffeine and sugar are involved.
The study authors searched the medical records of four North Carolina hospitals. They tracked down 465 patients who had chronic kidney problems. Their drink consumption was compared to that of a control group of 467 healthy people recruited from the same community, during the same period. The subjects were questioned by telephone on the quantities and types of drinks they consumed (soft drinks, juice, coffee, tea, etc.).
The researchers did not compare the eating habits of study participants, however.
Emmanuelle Bergeron– PasseportSanté.net
1. Saldana TM, Basso O et al. Carbonated beverages and chronic kidney disease, Epidemiology. 2007 Jul; 18 (4): 501-6.
2. Renal diseases listed are: nephropathy due to high blood pressure, nephrotic syndrome (diabetes mellitus), glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis and renal failure.
