A Verdade Sobre o Café: O Que Ele Faz com Seus Rins!

What is the effect of coffee on your kidneys? Does it do good or harm? Hello, I’m Dr. Thiago, a urologist based in
São Paulo. Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages
in the world, with approximately 500 billion cups consumed globally every year. Coffee contains substances that are antioxidants
and some substances that have certain anti-inflammatory properties. Its benefits to cardiovascular health and
the neurological system have been well established, but what about the kidneys? Can coffee harm renal function? Can it contribute to the development of chronic
kidney disease or kidney stones? And what is the recommended amount of coffee
to consume? These are the topics I will discuss in this
video. First, let’s understand the effect of coffee
on the urinary system. Caffeine, a substance found in coffee, causes
vasodilation, meaning it increases the diameter of blood vessels, thereby increasing blood
flow to the kidneys. This effect alone has a diuretic effect. Additionally, caffeine alters the regulation
of sodium, an electrolyte involved in the kidney’s filtration process. This alteration leads to increased urine production. Therefore, caffeine has two direct effects
that make coffee a diuretic substance. Coffee also has a direct effect on the bladder,
making it more sensitive. When a person drinks coffee, in addition to
producing more urine, the bladder begins to store slightly less urine, increasing its
sensitivity. As a result, a person may need to urinate
more frequently. Now let’s address the relationship between
coffee and renal function. To answer this question, I looked into a study
published in 2021 that analyzed 12 large studies, combining data from approximately 500,000
individuals. This study found that patients who consumed
at least one cup of coffee per day had a reduction of about 13% in developing chronic kidney
disease. In other words, individuals who consumed one
cup of coffee per day had a 13% lower risk of experiencing kidney function problems. For those who consumed two or more cups, the
reduction reached 18%. Therefore, it seems that coffee does have
a protective effect on kidney function. Furthermore, the study showed that patients
who consumed at least two cups of coffee had a 19% reduction in the risk of proteinuria,
which is the presence of protein in the urine, indicating kidney damage. These patients also had a 28% reduction in
the risk of developing end-stage chronic kidney disease that requires dialysis. Based on this study, we can conclude that
coffee does not harm the kidneys. However, it is important to note that this
study does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship; it only shows a correlation
between coffee consumption and a protective effect on kidney function. Regarding the formation of kidney stones,
many people wonder if coffee is rich in oxalate. This is not true. Coffee contains about 1 mg of oxalate per
cup. For comparison, beets, which are known to
be rich in oxalate, contain about 100 mg of oxalate per 100 grams of the vegetable. Therefore, beets have 100 times more oxalate
than a cup of coffee. A study published in 2019 analyzed the effects
of coffee on the formation of kidney stones by reviewing other studies on the topic. This study concluded that coffee consumption
was associated with a reduction of up to 30% in the formation of kidney stones. Therefore, coffee does have a protective effect
against the formation of kidney stones. As for the recommended amount of coffee to
consume, studies suggest that the more coffee you drink, the greater the protective effect. However, there is a limit. I recommend not exceeding three to four cups
of espresso coffee per day. Consuming excessive caffeine can have negative
effects on other systems, such as the cardiovascular system, leading to arrhythmias, and on the
neurological system, causing excessive irritability. It is also important to note that it is not
recommended to consume coffee after 3 or 4 p.m. because caffeine stays in our bodies
for about 6 hours. If you start drinking coffee too late in the
afternoon, it can interfere with your sleep. Even if you don’t perceive the impact on
your sleep, there is an alteration in the quality of sleep. Sleep has different stages, and consuming
caffeine close to bedtime affects its quality, which can have a broader impact on your overall
health. In conclusion, coffee is beneficial for kidney
health. You can enjoy your coffee without worrying
about harming your kidneys. Just remember not
to consume coffee after 4 or 5 p.m. to avoid sleep disturbances. If you have any questions, please leave them
in the comments, and I will respond. Share this video with coffee lovers to make
them even happier knowing that coffee is good for their health. Like this video
and subscribe to the channel. Your support is important for us to continue
creating content for you. I hope you found this information helpful. I’m Dr. Thiago, and I’ll see you in the next video.