Doctors Remove 35 Bladder Stones From Man Who Drank 3 Liters of Cola a Day

Patient Undergoes Rare Surgery After Ignoring Symptoms

In Brazil, a 60-year-old man underwent an intense surgery after months of urinary pain led to a shocking discovery: 35 bladder stones, each over one centimeter in size, weighing a combined 600 grams.

Doctors traced the cause to a long-term habit — drinking up to three liters of cola per day.

The patient had experienced discomfort and difficulty urinating for nearly four months before seeking medical attention.

When urologist Dr. Thales Franco de Andrade performed a two-hour open cystostomy, he uncovered dozens of large stones lodged in the bladder.

Excess Soda and Other Health Factors Contributed

Medical assessments linked the condition to multiple risk factors, with chronic soda consumption playing a major role.

The patient reportedly drank excessive amounts of Coca-Cola daily, a beverage high in phosphoric acid, sugar, and caffeine — all substances associated with increased risk of urinary stone formation.

Doctors also noted that the man had a low water intake and suffered from urinary retention caused by an enlarged prostate. Together, these conditions created the ideal environment for bladder stones to develop and multiply.

Bladder stones form when urine becomes too concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize. In this case, years of poor hydration and soda dependency accelerated the process significantly.

Medical Experts Warn Against Soda Overconsumption

While kidney stones are relatively common — affecting about one in ten people globally — such a large number and size are rare. The National Institutes of Health links the daily consumption of one or more sodas to a 23% increased risk of stone formation, largely due to high-fructose corn syrup, which elevates uric acid levels, and phosphoric acid, which increases urine acidity.

Even diet sodas are not without risk. Many still contain phosphoric acid, which may alter how the body filters substances in the urine, potentially triggering crystal buildup. Caffeine’s diuretic effect also contributes to dehydration, another factor in stone development.

Lifestyle Change Urged After Recovery

Following surgery, the patient made a strong recovery and reported significant relief. Dr. Andrade shared the case publicly to highlight the long-term health consequences of excessive soda consumption. He urged individuals to prioritize hydration with water and moderate intake of sugary and carbonated drinks, regardless of type.

The urologist also stressed the importance of early medical consultation when experiencing persistent urinary symptoms. Ignoring discomfort can lead to serious complications — some requiring invasive treatment.

This case serves as a cautionary reminder: daily habits shape long-term health, and small choices, such as drink preferences, can lead to unexpected and serious outcomes.

Watch the video here:

@metropolesoficial

O #urologista Thales Franco de Andrade realizou a retirada de múltiplos #cálculosrenais em um paciente que consumia diariamente de 2 a 3 litros de refrigerante. O #médico explicou que o excesso de refrigerantes, especialmente os ricos em ácido fosfórico e açúcar, pode favorecer a formação de cálculos de oxalato e fosfato de cálcio, tanto nos rins quanto na bexiga. Além disso, a baixa ingestão de água, a acidificação da urina, o aumento da excreção de cálcio e os níveis elevados de oxalato aumentam significativamente o risco de desenvolver pedras nos rins. #TikTokNotícias

♬ som original – Metrópoles Oficial