Is coffee good for your kidneys?

In this article:

• Is coffee good for your kidneys?
• Clinical evidence
• Which components affect your kidneys?
• Specific kidney conditions
• A holistic approach to kidney health
• Recommended daily amount
• The bottom line

In this article

• Is coffee good for your kidneys?
• Clinical evidence
• Which components affect your kidneys?
• Specific kidney conditions
• A holistic approach to kidney health
• Recommended daily amount
• The bottom line

Coffee: Your favorite morning pick-me-up, and a secret to great kidney health? It turns out that your cup of bean juice in the morning offers more than just eye-opening caffeine. For many people, drinking coffee in moderation is associated with several benefits, specifically for the kidneys. It’s linked to lowering your risk of chronic kidney disease and may reduce the risk of acute kidney injury.

There are some important caveats. Your current kidney health, as well as what you put in your cup of joe every morning, could determine whether or not your coffee is beneficial.

Is coffee good for your kidneys?

Yes, moderate consumption of black coffee offers more benefits to your kidneys than it does adverse effects. Many people who drink coffee daily enjoy a lower risk of kidney disease and injury.

On the flip side, there are some people who shouldn’t drink coffee for kidney health, and some coffees you should avoid if you want to improve your kidney health (like those with excess sugar and creamers). 

“Some studies have suggested that higher intake of caffeinated drinks like soda or coffee may be associated with worse kidney function in older adults,” says Erika Gray, Pharm.D., founder and chief medical officer at ToolBox Genomics.com. “However, these findings are not consistent across all research.”

What does the research say about coffee and kidney health?

There are thousands (yes, thousands) of studies on coffee. Fortunately, researchers have made an effort to evaluate just how coffee impacts the kidneys. 

Mitigates the risk of chronic kidney disease 

In a review of seven studies examining the relationship between coffee and chronic kidney disease (CKD), researchers found that black coffee significantly lowered the risk of developing the disease. What’s more, people who drank two or more cups a day had an even greater drop in risk of CKD than those who drank one or fewer cups a day. 

The studies also found that regular coffee drinkers have a lower risk of incident end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and of albuminuria, a condition that indicates early kidney disease or damage.

Reduces acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs when there is a sudden drop in how well your kidneys work, also known as a sudden episode of kidney failure. This can happen over a few hours or a few days as your kidneys lose the ability to filter waste and regulate electrolytes.  

According to one observational study, daily coffee drinkers have a 15% lower risk of AKI. Those who drink two to three cups a day had even larger drops in risk of kidney damage, as much as 22% to 23% less.

Increases urine production

Coffee is a natural mild diuretic, which means it prompts your kidneys to produce a little more urine. In moderation, this can help your body to flush out a bit more sodium and waste. Many people with chronic kidney disease are prescribed diuretics to help them manage sodium and fluid levels. 

That is not to say that if you have CKD, you should start chugging coffee. However, in people with healthy kidneys, the diuretic effect of coffee may keep things functioning as they should. 

Also, according to the Kidney and Hypertension Center, coffee does not dehydrate you. However, because coffee has diuretic effects, you should still make an effort to stay hydrated with water and other beverages throughout the day.

Raises blood pressure

Coffee can temporarily raise blood pressure, and according to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), high blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney disease. Additionally, temporary spikes in blood pressure could potentially strain your kidneys’ filtration system. 

There is good news for coffee lovers: Studies show that habitual coffee drinkers have no significant, long-term changes in blood pressure. 

May affect potassium levels

Generally, black coffee is low in potassium, with only around 120 milligrams per cup, according to the NKF. If you drink three or more cups of coffee a day, that becomes a more significant amount, especially if you use dairy milk or creamers, which add to the total. 

Potassium is a great electrolyte, but too much of it can be dangerous, especially if you have chronic kidney disease. With CKD, your kidneys don’t properly filter waste, which means excess potassium can build up over time in your blood, resulting in a condition called hyperkalemia. The NKF suggests that drinking less than three cups per day is generally considered safe.

Conversely, in people with normal kidney function, the diuretic effect of coffee increases potassium excretion in the urine, which can result in a reduction in overall potassium levels. In fact, in healthy adults, excessive coffee and caffeine consumption have been linked to hypokalemia (abnormally low potassium). Moderation seems to be the safest bet.

What’s in your coffee that affects your kidney health?

Coffee is a compound that has more than 1,000 natural chemicals in it. According to Dr. Gray, the ones that can have an effect on your kidneys include:

• Antioxidants/polyphenols: Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the kidneys
• Diuretic compounds: Increase sodium excretion through boosting urine production
• Caffeine: Increases urine output and blocks adenosine receptors that may affect blood flow in the kidneys
• Potassium and magnesium: In excess, the buildup of these minerals could cause issues for people with chronic kidney disease 

Coffee offers the most significant benefits to your kidneys thanks to the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that are tied to a lowered risk of disease and injury. “These effects may contribute to the association between coffee and improved kidney health over time,” Dr. Gray says.

Coffee for specific kidney conditions

People with kidney conditions can usually still drink coffee, though healthcare providers usually approach this on an individual basis.

Chronic kidney disease

If you have persistent issues with your kidneys over the course of three months or longer, a physician may diagnose you with chronic kidney disease. The National Kidney Foundation points out that people with kidney disease can still enjoy coffee, but should be mindful that:

• Coffee can temporarily spike blood pressure, so you may limit your intake to fewer than three cups a day
• Adding creamers and syrups can boost the amount of phosphorus and potassium, which can reach dangerous levels if your kidneys cannot properly filter them
• Coffee will count toward your daily fluid intake, which is often restricted for people with kidney disease

The best approach: Talk to your provider or dietitian about your caffeine intake if you have kidney disease. 

Polycystic kidney disease

Polycystic kidney disease, or PKD, is a condition in which cysts form and grow in the kidneys. Similar to people living with CKD, those with PKD can usually still consume coffee with a few considerations.

PKD is associated with short-term high blood pressure, and caffeine causes temporary spikes in blood pressure. If you have this condition, you might consider limiting your intake, especially if blood pressure is a concern.

Kidney stones

One study of more than 500,000 people found that those who had genetic markers indicating more coffee intake had a reduced risk of kidney stones. It’s important to note that this study specifically examined coffee and caffeine; it’s unclear whether decaf coffee would have the same effects. An analysis looking specifically at caffeine intake demonstrated a lower risk of kidney stones, as much as 29% lower if consuming over 600 mg per day. That amount of caffeine requires over six 8-ounce cups of coffee, which is not generally recommended because it can create other health issues.

If you regularly experience kidney stones, talk to your healthcare provider about your coffee intake.

The importance of a holistic approach to kidney health

To take care of your kidneys, approach them the way you do your entire body. If it’s good for your body, it’s probably good for your kidneys. 

“One of the simplest but most effective strategies to improve or maintain kidney health is to stay well hydrated,” says Dr. Gray. “This helps with the kidneys’ ability to filter waste.”

Ashley Kitchens, RDN, registered dietitian and owner of Plant Centered Nutrition in Durham, North Carolina, offers the following tips:

• Control your blood sugar to prevent damage to small blood vessels
• Eat a diet rich in whole foods like fruit, vegetables, and whole grains
• Limit ultra-processed foods

“I recommend staying away from the kidney ‘cleanse’ supplements since these are often unregulated, could potentially damage your kidneys, and are a waste of money,” she says. “I’m a big fan of whole foods first to support kidney health and then following that with what your doctor or dietitian recommends according to your specific needs.

How much is too much?

“Coffee doesn’t have an official RDA because it’s not considered essential,” explains Kitchens. 

The general guideline, according to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), is that up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is safe for most healthy adults. That’s equal to about four 8-ounce cups of coffee. However, if you have a health condition, speak with your provider about the amount of coffee that may be considered safe for you.

Many people consume coffee drinks without issues, though other people may experience palpitations, headaches, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, and digestive issues. Listening to your body after each cup may help you determine how much coffee is right for you.

The bottom line

For most people, coffee offers significant kidney health benefits, namely by reducing the risk of disease and injury. Keep in mind that this is solely related to black coffee; added sugars and creamers can negate or reduce the benefits of the antioxidants and caffeine in coffee. 

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to how much coffee you should have. Consult with your healthcare provider about your coffee consumption, especially if you have a pre-existing kidney condition or other medical issue. Let them know if you drink other caffeinated beverages throughout the day as well.