The surprising effect of pears helps prevent kidney stones

Kidney stones are formed from the accumulation of salt and mineral crystals in the kidneys. The stones vary in size. Small stones like sand can be easily excreted through the urinary tract, according to the health website Medical News Today (UK).

Meanwhile, larger stones will cause pain in the back and lower abdomen when stuck in the urinary tract. Kidney stones that are too large to pass through the urinary tract require other treatment methods, such as lithotripsy or surgery.

In fact, kidney stones are quite common. Studies show that about 10% of the population has kidney stones. People who have had kidney stones have a 50% chance of having them again within the next 5-7 years.

Therefore, preventing kidney stones in the first place is very important. One of the best ways to do this is to regularly eat foods rich in malic acid, such as pears. Malic acid can help increase the pH of urine, thereby reducing the risk of kidney stones forming.

Pears are sweet, juicy fruits that contain a variety of plant acids. A study in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis found that among the common acids found in pears, malic acid is the most abundant.

The malic acid in pears not only changes the pH of urine, making it difficult for salts and minerals to accumulate into kidney stones, but it also converts it into citrate. Citrate binds to calcium, which is then excreted from the body through urine. This mechanism helps prevent calcium from accumulating into kidney stones.

In addition to getting malic acid from pears, there are other ways to prevent kidney stones. The first thing to mention is to limit inflammatory foods. These include foods high in fat, sugar, and salt.

Drinking plenty of water is also extremely important in preventing kidney stones. This habit not only helps dilute the concentration of minerals in urine but also makes it easier for kidney stones to pass through the urinary tract, according to Medical News Today .