Effects of Caffeine on Kidney Stone Disease and Renal Cancer

Abstract

Caffeine is a natural xanthine alkaloid commonly found in coffee beans, cocoa beans, and tea leaves. It acts as a non-selective adenosine receptor antagonist and can block adenosine receptors expressed on renal tubular epithelial cells, leading to diuresis and natriuresis. Caffeine has long been known to have beneficial effects on human health, as it can reduce risks of many diseases. Several lines of recent evidence have shown the protective roles of coffee and caffeine consumption in kidney stone disease and renal cancer. This chapter thus provides an overview of the physiological roles of caffeine in kidney functions and summarizes the previous and recent data on the roles of coffee and caffeine consumption in kidney stone disease and renal cancer.