What Foods Help Dissolve Kidney Stones Naturally?

January 13, 2026 •

4 min read

Over 11% of men and 6% of women in the U.S. will develop a kidney stone at some point in their lives, making diet a critical factor in both prevention and management. The right dietary choices can influence urine chemistry to help break down existing stones and prevent new ones from forming. This guide explores what foods help dissolve kidney stones through natural methods.

Quick Summary

Dietary adjustments can aid in the dissolution and prevention of kidney stones by altering urine composition. Key strategies involve increasing fluid intake, consuming citrate-rich fruits like lemons and oranges, moderating protein and sodium, and managing oxalate levels. Specific foods and beverages are known to support kidney health and may assist in passing smaller stones.

Key Points

Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is the most important step for preventing and helping pass kidney stones by keeping urine diluted.
Consume Citrate-Rich Foods: Lemons, oranges, and other citrus fruits contain citrate, which binds to calcium and inhibits the formation of calcium oxalate stones.
Balance Calcium and Oxalate: Do not avoid calcium; instead, consume calcium-rich foods with meals containing high-oxalate foods to prevent oxalate absorption.
Reduce Animal Protein: High intake of animal protein can increase uric acid and calcium excretion, so moderate your intake, especially of red meat.
Limit Sodium: A high-sodium diet increases urinary calcium, raising the risk of stone formation.
Consult a Doctor: Dietary recommendations vary by stone type, so a professional diagnosis is crucial for the most effective treatment plan.

The Foundation of Prevention: Hydration

When it comes to managing and preventing kidney stones, the single most important factor is hydration. Consuming plenty of fluids, particularly water, helps to dilute the concentration of minerals and salts in your urine, making it harder for crystals to form and clump together into stones. Aim for enough fluid intake to produce 2 to 2.5 liters of urine daily, which typically requires around 8 to 12 glasses of water. Pale, straw-colored urine is a good indicator of adequate hydration, while dark yellow urine suggests dehydration.

Citrate-Rich Foods: The Natural Stone Buster

Citrate, a salt of citric acid, is a powerful natural inhibitor of kidney stones, particularly calcium oxalate stones, which are the most common type. It works by binding to calcium in the urine, preventing it from combining with oxalates to form crystals. Adding citrate-rich foods to your diet is a key strategy for dissolution and prevention. Some of the best sources include:

Lemon Juice: Lemons contain a high concentration of citrate. Mixing the juice of two fresh lemons with water throughout the day can significantly increase urinary citrate levels. While a little lemon in your water won't hurt, concentrated intake is needed for a therapeutic effect.
Orange Juice: Studies suggest that orange juice may be even more effective than lemon juice at increasing urinary pH and citrate, offering a robust preventative benefit.
Other Citrus Fruits: Limes and grapefruits also contain beneficial citrate, although grapefruit juice may increase the risk of stones in some cases, so consultation with a doctor is wise.

Managing Oxalate and Animal Protein

While a low-oxalate diet is not recommended for everyone, it is important for individuals who have calcium oxalate stones to manage their intake of high-oxalate foods. A diet low in calcium can paradoxically increase the risk of stones, as dietary calcium binds with oxalate in the intestines before it can reach the kidneys. To strike the right balance, consume calcium-rich foods like low-fat dairy with meals, especially when eating high-oxalate foods.

High animal protein intake can also increase the risk of both calcium oxalate and uric acid stones by increasing urinary acid levels. Reducing your intake of red meat, pork, and poultry can be beneficial. Consider replacing some animal protein with plant-based alternatives.

Comparison of Kidney Stone-Friendly Foods


Food/Beverage	Primary Mechanism	Benefit for Calcium Oxalate Stones	Benefit for Uric Acid Stones
Water	Hydration dilutes urine	High	High
Lemon Juice	Citrate binds to calcium	High	Moderate
Orange Juice	Citrate and urinary pH increase	High	Moderate
Low-Fat Dairy	Dietary calcium binds to oxalate	High	Low (unless low-purine)
Plant-Based Proteins	Lower purine load, promotes alkaline urine	Low	High
Apple Cider Vinegar	Acetic acid may help, but evidence is limited	Low	Moderate (increases alkalinity)

Other Helpful Foods and Beverages

Several other foods and beverages have shown potential benefits, though more research is often needed:

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): Contains acetic acid and is anecdotally used to help dissolve stones. However, its direct effect is not scientifically proven for dissolution, and it's best viewed as a preventive measure when diluted.
Celery Juice: Used in traditional medicine, studies in rats have shown it can help break down stones. While human evidence is lacking, it may be beneficial for overall kidney function.
Dandelion: Some studies suggest dandelion can increase urine output and help eliminate waste, though research is mostly limited to lab settings.
Wheatgrass Juice: Rich in nutrients, wheatgrass may increase urine flow. A 2017 study found it could inhibit urinary crystallization, though it is not proven to break down existing stones.

A Note on Stone Type

It is crucial to understand that not all kidney stones are the same. Dietary advice is often tailored to the specific type of stone you have, such as calcium oxalate or uric acid. A urologist can perform diagnostic tests to determine the composition of your stones and provide a personalized dietary plan. For example, while citrus is helpful for calcium oxalate stones, those with uric acid stones need to focus on reducing high-purine foods and increasing alkalinity.

What to Avoid

Just as some foods help, others can exacerbate the condition. For people prone to kidney stones, it's wise to limit or avoid:

High Sodium: A high-sodium diet increases calcium excretion in the urine.
High-Dose Vitamin C Supplements: The body converts excess vitamin C into oxalate.
Cranberry Juice: Contrary to popular belief, cranberry juice is often high in oxalate and may increase stone risk.
Sugary Drinks and Colas: Especially those with high fructose corn syrup, which can increase uric acid.
High-Purine Foods: For uric acid stones, limit red meat, organ meats, and shellfish.

Conclusion

While certain foods can help manage and prevent kidney stones, relying solely on diet for dissolution may not be sufficient, especially for larger stones. The foundation of dietary management is consistent hydration, primarily with water. Incorporating citrate-rich foods like lemons and oranges can be a powerful preventative strategy. It is essential to consult a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to determine your specific stone type and receive a tailored dietary plan. Combining strategic dietary choices with professional medical guidance offers the best approach to promoting kidney health and minimizing the recurrence of stones. For more information, consider reading studies on the effects of potassium citrate in preventing stone recurrence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Water is the most effective drink for diluting urine and helping to flush out small kidney stones. Adding lemon juice to water can also be beneficial, as lemons contain citrate, which helps prevent calcium stone formation.

While anecdotal evidence suggests apple cider vinegar (ACV) may help, solid scientific studies on its ability to dissolve existing kidney stones are lacking. It may have a supportive, preventive effect when diluted, but it is not a medically endorsed cure.

Not necessarily. If you have calcium oxalate stones, managing your oxalate intake is important, but eliminating all high-oxalate foods can lead to other deficiencies. The best strategy is to consume calcium-rich foods with meals that contain high-oxalate items, like spinach, to bind the oxalate in the gut.

Despite its reputation for urinary health, cranberry juice is generally not recommended for kidney stones. It is high in oxalates and can increase the risk of certain types of stones.

If you have uric acid stones, you should limit foods high in purines, such as red meat, organ meats, shellfish, and alcohol. Eating more fruits and vegetables can help decrease urine acidity and prevent stone formation.

While staying well-hydrated is the most important preventive measure, it does not guarantee you will never get a kidney stone. Dehydration is the number one cause, but genetics, diet, and other factors also play a role.

Lemon juice and its citrate content are primarily effective for preventing small stones and potentially aiding the passage of very small ones. It is not an effective treatment for dissolving large, formed kidney stones, which require medical intervention.