What Are Oxalates and Why Do They Matter?
Oxalates (or oxalic acid) are compounds found in many plant-based foods. When oxalates accumulate and bind with calcium in the urinary tract, they can form crystals and eventually stones. High levels of calcium oxalate in urine are a major risk factor for stone formation. That’s why controlling your oxalate intake through a low oxalate diet is a powerful way to prevent kidney stones . To learn more about the science behind oxalates, visit kidney calcium oxalate crystals . High Oxalate Foods to Limit or Avoid A low oxalate diet begins with identifying high oxalate foods that can trigger or worsen kidney stone formation. Common high-oxalate offenders include: Spinach Beets Almonds and other nuts Rhubarb Sweet potatoes Cocoa and dark chocolate Bran cereals Soy products These foods are commonly included in vegetarian and "health" diets, but they can increase your risk of calcium oxalate stones. Check out this high oxalate foods PDF or this oxala...