To prevent kidney stone formation, patients should avoid overindulging in oxalate-rich foods, including chocolate, and pair them with dietary calcium-rich foods such as yogurt. Calcium binds with oxalate in the gut; thus, it will not accumulate in the bloodstream and eventually enter the urine and cause stones. Instead, it excretes oxalate as waste.
Foods rich in oxalates include berries, beets, greens, nuts, and rhubarb. Patients can also avoid kidney stones by consuming less animal protein, which can cause uric acid levels to rise, and following a low-sodium diet.
Learn more about kidney stones.
This Rapid Review Quiz was excerpted and adapted from the Medscape articles Vitamins or Cocoa: Which Preserves Cognition?, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease, Kidney Stones: What Hurts and What Helps, Nephrolithiasis, 'Promising Signals' With Cocoa Flavanols to Reduce CV Events?, Cardiovascular Disease Primary Prevention/Lifestyle Guidelines, and Nutritional Status Assessment in Adults.
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Cite this: Rapid Review Quiz: Chocolate and Health - Medscape - Jan 30, 2023.
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