Kidney stones are a common health problem that affects many people worldwide. Researchers in Jordan studied 1,296 people to understand why some develop kidney stones and others don’t. They found that about 18% of people in Amman have had kidney stones. The study discovered that several habits and health conditions increase your risk, including drinking too little water, eating too much salt and meat, drinking lots of tea and coffee, and having family members with kidney stones. The good news is that many of these risk factors can be controlled through lifestyle changes like drinking more water and eating a healthier diet.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: What habits, health conditions, and family history make someone more likely to develop kidney stones?
- Who participated: 1,296 people living in Amman, Jordan, including 243 who had kidney stones. Participants ranged in age, with the highest number of cases in people over 50 years old who weighed around 80 kg (176 pounds).
- Key finding: About 18% of people in Amman have kidney stones. People who drink less than 2 liters of water daily, eat lots of salt and meat, drink heavy amounts of tea and coffee, and have family members with kidney stones are at much higher risk.
- What it means for you: If you want to lower your risk of kidney stones, you can make practical changes today: drink more water, reduce salt intake, eat less red meat, limit tea and coffee, and eat less dairy. These changes may significantly reduce your chances of developing stones. However, if you have a family history of kidney stones, talk to your doctor about additional prevention strategies.
The Research Details
This study looked at 1,296 people living in Amman, Jordan between June 2022 and June 2023. Researchers compared 243 people who had kidney stones with others who didn’t. They collected information in three ways: phone interviews with 75 people, visits to a urology clinic with 116 patients, and an online survey with 52 respondents. By comparing the habits and health conditions of people with and without kidney stones, researchers could identify which factors were most strongly connected to stone formation.
This type of study is called a cross-sectional study because it takes a snapshot of a population at one point in time, rather than following people over many years. Researchers asked about current habits like water intake, diet, smoking, exercise, and family history of kidney stones.
This research approach is important because kidney stones are a very common problem that causes pain and can lead to serious complications. By identifying the specific risk factors in a real population, doctors can give better advice to patients about prevention. The study looked at both health conditions (like high blood pressure and diabetes) and lifestyle choices (like diet and water intake), which helps people understand what they can and cannot control.
This study has several strengths: it included a reasonably large number of participants (1,296 people), it looked at many different risk factors, and it was conducted in a real-world setting. However, there are some limitations to keep in mind. The study only looked at people in one city in Jordan, so results may not apply to other countries or populations. Also, because it’s a cross-sectional study, we can’t be completely certain that these factors cause kidney stones—we only know they’re associated with them. The study relied on people remembering their past habits, which can sometimes be inaccurate.
What the Results Show
The study found that about 18% of people in Amman have experienced kidney stones. Among people with kidney stones, several patterns emerged. Most cases occurred in people over 50 years old. When looking at specific health conditions, kidney stones appeared in 36% of people with high blood pressure, 53% of people with elevated uric acid levels, and 41% of people with diabetes.
The most striking findings were about daily habits. An overwhelming 83% of people with kidney stones drank less than 2 liters of water per day—far below the recommended amount. Additionally, 81% drank tea and coffee heavily throughout the day, 74% ate large quantities of dairy products, 42% consumed large amounts of meat, and 31% ate meals with high salt content. Interestingly, only 12% of kidney stone patients ate seafood frequently.
Family history played a major role: 66% of people with kidney stones had relatives who also had kidney stones. This suggests that genetics may make some people more vulnerable, though lifestyle factors still play an important role.
The study also found that smoking and lack of physical activity were associated with kidney stone development, though specific percentages weren’t detailed. The combination of multiple risk factors appeared to increase risk significantly—people who had several of these habits together were more likely to have kidney stones than those with just one or two risk factors.
This study’s finding that about 18% of the population has kidney stones is consistent with global research showing kidney stones are increasingly common. The identified risk factors—especially low water intake, high salt consumption, and family history—align with what international medical organizations have previously documented. The strong connection to high uric acid levels and the prevalence in people with diabetes and high blood pressure also matches existing medical knowledge.
This study was conducted only in Amman, Jordan, so the results may not apply to people in other countries with different diets, climates, and genetics. The study relied on people’s memories of their habits, which can be inaccurate. Because this is a cross-sectional study (a snapshot in time), we cannot prove that these factors actually cause kidney stones—only that they’re associated with them. The study didn’t measure actual water intake precisely or analyze the exact composition of stones. Additionally, people who participated in the phone survey or online survey may have different characteristics than those who visited the clinic, which could affect results.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, here are evidence-based steps to reduce kidney stone risk: (1) Drink at least 2 liters of water daily—this is the most important change you can make (high confidence). (2) Reduce salt intake in your diet (high confidence). (3) Eat less red meat and dairy products (moderate confidence). (4) Limit tea and coffee consumption (moderate confidence). (5) If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or elevated uric acid, work with your doctor to manage these conditions (high confidence). (6) If you have a family history of kidney stones, be especially vigilant about these lifestyle changes and discuss prevention with your doctor (moderate confidence).
Everyone should pay attention to these findings, but especially: people over 50 years old, people with high blood pressure or diabetes, people with a family history of kidney stones, and people who currently drink very little water. If you’ve never had a kidney stone and have no risk factors, these recommendations are still good general health advice. People with kidney disease or certain medical conditions should consult their doctor before making major dietary changes.
You may notice benefits relatively quickly. Increasing water intake can help prevent stone formation within weeks to months. However, if you already have kidney stones, these lifestyle changes prevent future stones rather than dissolving existing ones. Most people who make these changes consistently see reduced risk within 6-12 months.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily water intake in liters and aim for at least 2 liters per day. Log this each morning and evening to build the habit. Also track weekly servings of red meat, dairy products, and cups of tea/coffee consumed.
- Set a daily reminder to drink water at regular intervals (e.g., 8 oz every 2 hours). Use the app to log each glass. Create a goal to gradually reduce tea and coffee consumption by replacing one cup per week with water or herbal tea. Track salt intake by logging meals and noting which ones are high in salt.
- Review your water intake weekly to ensure consistency. Every month, assess whether you’re meeting your targets for reduced meat, dairy, and caffeine consumption. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or elevated uric acid, sync your app with health tracking to monitor these conditions alongside kidney stone prevention habits. Set quarterly check-ins to evaluate overall progress and adjust goals as needed.
This research is informational and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have kidney stones, a history of kidney stones, or are at high risk due to family history or medical conditions, consult with a healthcare provider or urologist before making significant dietary changes. This study was conducted in Jordan and may not apply to all populations. If you experience symptoms of kidney stones (severe back pain, pain during urination, or blood in urine), seek immediate medical attention. Always discuss any new health regimen with your doctor, especially if you take medications or have existing health conditions.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.