A study has shown that drinking at least 1 cup of coffee per day can reduce the risk of acute kidney injury compared to individuals who do not drink coffee.
The results show that individuals who drank coffee every day had a 15% lower risk of acute kidney injury, with the greatest decrease in the group consuming 2 to 3 cups a day with a 22% to 23% lower risk.
Regular coffee drinking is already known to be associated with chronic and degenerative disease prevention, including liver disease, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. A potential reduction in the risk of acute kidney injury can now be added to the list of health benefits of caffeine .
According to the National Kidney Foundation, acute kidney injury is a sudden episode of kidney failure that occurs within a few days or even a few hours. This results in a buildup of waste products in the blood, making it difficult for the kidneys to regulate the body’s proper fluid balance.
Symptoms of acute kidney injury vary depending on the cause and may include chest pain, nausea, swelling in the ankles and legs and around the eyes, insufficient urine output, fatigue, shortness of breath, confusion, and coma or seizures in severe cases. Acute kidney injury is most common in hospitalized individuals whose kidneys have been affected by surgical and medical complications and stress.
Using data from an ongoing cardiovascular disease study, the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, 14,207 individuals with a mean age of 54 years were assessed. They were surveyed 7 times over 24 years about how many 8-ounce cups of coffee each individual drank in a day: zero, 1, 2 to 3, or more than 3. A total of 1,694 cases of acute kidney injury were documented during the study period.
Taking into account dietary factors, lifestyle influences, socioeconomic status and demographic characteristics, individuals who drank coffee had a 15% lower risk of acute kidney injury compared to individuals who did not drink coffee. When adjusting for additional co-morbidities, including renal function, use of antihypertensive drugs, diabetes status, body mass index and blood pressure, individuals who drank coffee still had an 11% lower risk of acute kidney injury compared to individuals who did not drink coffee.
The researchers think the reason coffee affects the risk of acute kidney injury could be that biologically active compounds combined with caffeine or the caffeine itself improve kidney perfusion and oxygen utilization. Acute kidney damage tolerance and good kidney function depend on a constant supply of oxygen and blood.
It has been suggested that caffeine inhibits the production of molecules, leading to chemical imbalances and excessive oxygen use in the kidneys. Caffeine may help the kidneys maintain a more stable system.
Image Source – Caffeine Lab
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