You’re staring at the bottom of a 16-ounce black and green can. It’s 3:00 PM. Your energy is tanking, and that hit of caffeine and taurine feels like the only thing standing between you and a desk-nap. But then you feel it—a sharp, nagging thought. You’ve heard the horror stories on Reddit or from your mom about guys who drank three of these a day and ended up screaming in an ER bathroom while passing a jagged piece of calcium the size of a peppercorn.
So, can Monster drinks cause kidney stones, or is this just another urban legend designed to scare us away from the gas station cooler?
The answer isn't a simple yes or no. It’s more of a "probably, if you aren't careful."
Kidney stones are essentially tiny, agonizing crystals that form when your urine becomes too concentrated. Think of it like a science fair project where you dissolve too much salt in water until it can’t hold any more, and crystals start forming on the string. Your kidneys are the jar. The Monster is the salt.
The Science of Why Monster Drinks and Kidney Stones are Linked
To understand the risk, we have to look at what’s actually inside that can. It isn't just "energy." It’s a chemical cocktail that, while FDA-approved, puts a specific kind of strain on your renal system.
Most kidney stones—about 80% of them—are calcium oxalate stones. These form when calcium binds with oxalate in your urine. Monster doesn't necessarily have tons of oxalate, but it has something else: massive amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners, and a whole lot of sodium.
When you dump 54 grams of sugar (in a standard original Monster) into your system, your body’s calcium metabolism goes haywire. High sugar intake increases the amount of calcium your kidneys have to filter. More calcium in the urine means a higher chance of it meeting some oxalate and making a "stone" baby. It’s basic chemistry, but it feels like a medieval torture device when it’s happening inside your ureter.
Dehydration: The Silent Catalyst
Monster is a diuretic. Caffeine makes you pee.
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If you are drinking a Monster to get through a shift or a gaming session and you aren't "chasing" it with a liter of water, you are dehydrating yourself. Dehydration is the number one cause of kidney stones. Period. When you're dehydrated, your urine is dark and concentrated. Those minerals we talked about? They have nowhere to go. They settle. They crystallize.
Honestly, if you're asking can Monster drinks cause kidney stones, you should really be asking: "Am I drinking enough water to offset this Monster?" Usually, the answer is no.
Phosphoric Acid and the pH Problem
Some energy drinks use phosphoric acid for that signature "bite" or tang. While Monster primarily uses citric acid (which can actually help prevent stones in small amounts), the overall acid load of a high-caffeine, high-sugar diet can shift your urine pH.
When your urine becomes too acidic, it creates a playground for uric acid stones. These are different from the calcium ones but just as painful. Dr. Brian Stork, a board-certified urologist, often points out that the modern diet—heavy on processed drinks and low on plain water—is a primary driver for the "stone epidemic" we see in younger people today. We’re seeing 20-year-olds with stones that used to only show up in 50-year-olds. That’s not a coincidence. It’s the cans.
The Vitamin B6 Paradox
Monster is loaded with B vitamins. Specifically, B6 and B12. While B6 is generally thought to reduce oxalate production, mega-dosing anything can have weird effects on people with specific genetic predispositions. Most people will just pee out the excess vitamins (which is why your urine looks neon yellow after a Monster), but for someone already prone to metabolic issues, that extra work for the kidneys isn't helping.
Real World Evidence: What the Experts See
I’ve talked to nurses who work in triage. They’ll tell you that "Energy Drink Stones" are a real phenomenon in their vocabulary, even if it's not an official medical diagnosis.
Take the case of "Josh," a 24-year-old delivery driver who lived on two Monsters a day. No water. Just caffeine and road snacks. He ended up in the emergency room with flank pain so severe he thought his appendix had burst. It wasn't his appendix. It was a 5mm stone. The urologist’s first question wasn't about his genetics; it was "How many energy drinks do you have a day?"
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The National Kidney Foundation has repeatedly warned that high-fructose corn syrup—the primary sweetener in regular Monster—is linked to an increased risk of developing stones. It increases uric acid levels and calcium excretion. It’s a double whammy.
Is the "Zero Ultra" Version Safer?
You might think switching to the white can (Monster Zero Ultra) saves your kidneys.
Sure, you’re cutting out the 54 grams of sugar. That’s a huge win. But you’re still dealing with:
- Artificial Sweeteners: Some studies suggest sucralose and acesulfame potassium can still affect kidney function and metabolic health over long periods.
- Sodium: Monster contains about 370mg of sodium per can. High salt intake forces your kidneys to excrete more calcium.
- Caffeine: The caffeine content (160mg) is still there, still dehydrating you, and still potentially increasing calcium levels in your pee.
It's "better," but it's not "safe" if it's your primary source of fluid.
Genetics: The Loaded Gun
We have to be fair here. There are people who drink three Monsters a day for a decade and never get a stone. Then there’s the guy who drinks one a week and gets a "staghorn" stone that requires surgery.
Your genetics load the gun. Your lifestyle pulls the trigger.
If your dad had kidney stones, or if you’ve had one before, your risk factor is already through the roof. For you, the answer to can Monster drinks cause kidney stones is a resounding "Yes, and stay away from them." Your kidneys are already struggling to balance minerals; don't give them a concentrated dose of sugar and sodium to deal with.
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The Citric Acid Myth
Some people defend Monster by saying it contains citric acid, which urologists actually prescribe (as potassium citrate) to prevent stones.
Here’s the catch: the citric acid in a soda or energy drink is usually balanced out by so much sugar and sodium that the "benefit" is completely negated. It’s like putting a single piece of kale on a double bacon cheeseburger and calling it a salad. It doesn't work that way. To get the stone-preventing benefits of citric acid, you’re better off squeezing a real lemon into a glass of water.
Practical Steps to Protect Your Kidneys
You don't necessarily have to swear off Monster forever unless your doctor tells you to. But you do have to be smart. If you're going to indulge, you need a strategy to keep your kidneys from turning into a rock quarry.
- The 1-to-1 Rule: For every 16oz Monster you drink, you must drink at least 16oz (preferably 32oz) of plain water immediately after. Dilution is the solution.
- Watch the Salt: If you're having an energy drink, skip the salty chips or jerky. Your kidneys can only handle so much sodium before they start dumping calcium into your urine.
- Add Lemon: Real lemon juice contains natural citrates that bind to calcium in the urine, preventing it from binding with oxalate. It’s a cheap insurance policy.
- Know the Signs: If you start feeling a dull ache in your lower back or side, or if your urine looks like iced tea, stop the energy drinks immediately and start chugging water.
- Check the Label: Look for the sugar content. If you're going to drink them, the sugar-free versions are objectively less risky for stone formation, even if they aren't "healthy" in the traditional sense.
Final Reality Check
At the end of the day, can Monster drinks cause kidney stones? Yes, they absolutely contribute to the perfect storm that creates them. They dehydrate you, load you with sugar or artificial sweeteners, and pump you full of sodium.
If you are a healthy person with no history of stones and you drink one occasionally, you’re probably fine. But if it’s a daily habit, you are playing a high-stakes game with your urinary tract. And trust me, having a doctor "basket" a stone out of your bladder is an experience you want to avoid at all costs.
What To Do Right Now
If you've been slamming energy drinks lately, your first step is simple: Go drink a large glass of water. Right now.
Then, try to limit your intake to no more than two or three a week. If you need the caffeine, consider black coffee or green tea. They provide the hit without the heavy mineral and sugar load that turns your kidneys into a geological experiment. If you've already had a stone, the "occasional" Monster is probably off the table—it's just not worth the risk of a relapse. Keep your urine clear, stay hydrated, and listen to your body when it tells you it's had enough of the "beast."