10 Causes of Kidney Stones
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
Cause #2: Foods High in Oxalates
While leafy green vegetables have their benefits, consuming them obsessively is a possible cause of kidney stones. Foods like spinach, rhubarb, and beets contain high amounts of oxalates, which are the compounds that combine with calcium to form a majority of kidney stones.
When foods high in oxalates are eaten in moderate quantities, the oxalates are excreted in urine. However, when someone regularly consumes large quantities of foods high in oxalates, the amount of oxalates becomes too high for excretion. Therefore, the oxalates combine with calcium to form calcium stones. For this reason, avoid going overboard while eating foods high in oxalates. (There are also leafy greens that are low in oxalates, such as kale.)
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