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Effect of blackcurrant-, cranberry- and plum juice consumption on risk factors associated with kidney stone formation

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 56, pages 1020–1023 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the influence of plum-, cranberry- and blackcurrant juice on urinary stone risk factors.

Design: Investigations were carried out in 12 healthy male subjects aged 18–38 y. All subjects received a standardized diet formulated according to the dietary recommendations of the German Society of Nutrition. The subjects provided 24 h urine collections in a control, three loading phases. In each loading phase a neutral mineral water was substituted for 330 ml of the particular juice.

Results: Cranberry juice decreased the urinary pH, whereas the excretion of oxalic acid and the relative supersaturation for uric acid were increased. Blackcurrant juice increased the urinary pH and the excretion of citric acid. The excretion of oxalic acid was increased too. All changes were statistically significant. The plum juice had no significant effect on the urinary composition.

Conclusion: It is concluded that blackcurrant juice could support the treatment and metaphylaxis of uric acid stone disease because of its alkalizing effect. Since cranberry juice acidifies urine it could be useful in the treatment of brushite and struvite stones as well as urinary tract infection.

Sponsorship: Funded by our own Division respectively the University.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wishes to thank Mrs B Bär for the excellent technical assistance.

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Author notes

  1. T Keßler: Guarantor: T Keßler.

  2. T Keßler, B Jansen and A Hesse: Contributors: All authors contributed to the design and the performance of the study and to the writing of the paper.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Experimental Urology, Department of Urology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

    T Keßler, B Jansen & A Hesse

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  1. T Keßler
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  2. B Jansen
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Correspondence to T Keßler.

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Keßler, T., Jansen, B. & Hesse, A. Effect of blackcurrant-, cranberry- and plum juice consumption on risk factors associated with kidney stone formation. Eur J Clin Nutr 56, 1020–1023 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601442

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