A recent study found that regularly snacking on sugary foods such as cakes, pastries, and cookies increases the risk of kidney stones.

To draw this conclusion, researchers at the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical University in Nanchong City, Sichuan Province (China) analyzed data from nearly 30,000 people, according to the Daily Mail .

The data was collected over 11 years. The people in the study reported their history of kidney stones as well as their diet. Based on their diet, the researchers estimated how much sugar they consumed each day.

After analyzing the data, the authors found that people who ate the most sugar, especially in snacks, had a 39% higher risk of developing kidney stones than normal people. Not only that, people whose total daily energy intake from sugar was 25% had an 88% higher risk of developing kidney stones.

Previously, scientists have identified factors that increase the risk of kidney stones as obesity, adult male status, chronic diarrhea, low fluid intake and diabetes. In the study, this list will be supplemented by a high sugar intake. The results of the study were published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.

"Our study is the first published study to focus on the association between high sugar intake and kidney stones," said Dr. Son Am, lead author of the study.

His and his colleagues’ evidence suggests that cutting back on sugar can help prevent kidney stones. In other words, people need to limit their snacking on sugary foods like cakes, candy, soft drinks, and other sugary foods.

In fact, kidney stones are quite common. Statistics show that about 10% of the population may have kidney stones. Most are between the ages of 30 and 60.

Kidney stones are caused by a buildup of waste in the kidneys. Over time, these crystals grow larger and form stones. The disease can cause severe pain. If not treated properly, the patient can suffer from kidney infections, kidney failure and many other dangerous complications, according to the Daily Mail.