Tea Blog

We’re just about a month into summer now and it’s pretty much the peak of iced tea season. In the United States, iced tea still makes up the overwhelming majority of tea consumed. Of course, that’s with good reason, as you surely know if you’ve ever downed a glass or five on a sweltering day.

So it’s all good, right? We’re cleared to spend the summer enjoying as much iced tea varieties including loose leaf options for hot and cold brewing as we like? Well, that may not be the case for everyone. If you’ve followed the many health studies about tea, you might think of it as a harmless or even beneficial daily drink.

While tea does offer many benefits, there are some considerations—particularly for those prone to kidney stones. Before you panic, a few clarifications are important.

First, women are statistically less likely to develop kidney stones. Men, especially those over forty, fall into a higher-risk category. It’s also worth noting that concerns are most often linked to iced tea consumption and, in particular, black iced tea varieties that are higher in oxalates.

So should you rush to pour out your iced tea? Probably not. Speaking as someone who drinks a fair amount of tea without issue, moderation and awareness are key. Staying well hydrated in general is important, and adding lemon—whether to tea or otherwise—may help reduce the risk of kidney stones.

For more detailed guidance, see this report on potential links between iced tea consumption and kidney stone risk, which outlines contributing factors and prevention strategies.

Make sure to check out William’s blog, Tea Guy Speaks blog covering tea culture, trends, and health topics. It’s much more enjoyable than dealing with kidney stones!