Drinking too much tea and fruit juice ‘raises your risk of kidney disease’

DRINKING too much tea and fruit juice could raise your risk of developing kidney disease, a study has found.

Sweetened drinks have always been culprits for bad health, but now even a cuppa and a pint could be a danger.

A study by scientists at Johns Hopkins University has made the claims, while looking into why African-Americans are more likely to have kidney disease than Caucasians.

It noted that sweetened tea and reduced-fat milk adds to sugar intake, which can cause problems.

Too much sugar can lead to weight gain and high blood pressure, which puts stress on the kidneys.

This can then accelerate the loss of the organ's vital function, the experts think.

According to the NHS there are about 40,000 to 45,000 premature deaths in the UK due to kidney disease.

The study looked at 3,003 African-American men and women.

After following the people with previously healthy kidneys for about eight years, six per cent had developed kidney disease.

The experts concluded that those with a liking for sweet drinks appeared to have encountered more problems.

Researchers identified more of a link between people who preferred to drink fizzy drinks, sweetened fruit juices and water and kidney disease.

The team was "surprised" the results included water, published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, but acknowledged participants may have meant flavoured water.

Dr Holly Kramer of Loyola University Chicago told Reuters: "Multiple studies have shown that high consumption of sugar sweetened beverages is associated with increased risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes and gout.

"High sugar of any kind can lead to weight gain and insulin resistance and elevated blood pressure.

“These factors then put stress on the kidney and can accelerate loss of kidney function over time.”

As part of a new year health kick, Meghan Markle has reportedly banned Prince Harry from drinking tea and booze.

The Duchess of Sussex has persuaded hubby Harry to replace alcohol and caffeine with still mineral water.