Can eating too much tomatoes cause kidneys stones

Right from adding a punch of taste, texture and flavours, this one sweet, tangy and subtle fruit can give any delicacy a unique twist! In fact, in most Indian households tomatoes are an inseparable part of our day-to-day cooking, which is extensively used in making chutneys, curries, sabzis, salads, stews and juices to name a few, but do you know what happens when you consume tomatoes in excess? While it is traditionally believed that eating too many tomatoes may lead to kidney issues, here’s all you need to know about tomatoes and their impact on kidneys?

There’s no denying that tomatoes are extensively consumed across the world, and are known for their unique nutritional benefits such as vitamin C, potassium and lycopene (antioxidants) that are known for their health enriching properties. The presence of potassium helps in improving heart health and also helps in regulating blood pressure, and reduces the risk of storks and cardiovascular diseases. The presence of lycopene, may also protect the body from certain cancers and also helps reduce inflammation. In fact, tomatoes also provide small amounts of vitamin K, folate, and fiber, which support bone health, red blood cell formation, and improves digestion. However, not everything about these little tomatoes good for your health? Here’s all you need to know about tomatoes.

There’s no denying that tomatoes are good for health, but they also contain Oxalates, which are basically active compounds that can bind with calcium and form crystals, which may not be great for people struggling with kidney disorders. This is because of the presence of calcium oxalate stones, caused due to a high intake of tomatoes especially raw and with seeds as this can increase the risk of stone formation. However, for most healthy people, eating tomatoes as part of a balanced diet is not harmful, but consuming them in very large quantities daily may add to the oxalate load.

Tomatoes are also a source of potassium. While potassium is essential for heart and nerve function, people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) cannot efficiently remove excess potassium from the blood. However, eating too much tomatoes daily can also cause high potassium levels (hyperkalemia), which can be dangerous for such people.

A 2019 study published in the Journal of Nephrology & Renal Diseases followed people with a history of kidney stones who consumed over 100 grams of tomatoes daily for 12 weeks. The study found a slight increase in urinary oxalate levels among these participants. While the increase was not severe, researchers suggested moderation for individuals prone to kidney stones or kidney diseases. They concluded that a normal intake of tomatoes is generally safe for healthy adults.