Those struggling with renal stones may be in for a surprise whenever they next visit their doctors. They may be prescribed sodas like Diet Sprite, Diet 7-Up and Fresca, or any other brands provided they are citrus-based. Sounds astonishing but that’s true! For, if a new lab research is to be believed certain diet sodas may have the potential to prevent the most common type of kidney stone.

Reported in the Journal of Urology, the research has found that certain sodas contained relatively high amounts of a compound called citrate (in the form of potassium citrate), which is a known inhibitor of calcium oxalate, the most common type of kidney stone. Therefore, diet sodas could come in as an extra weapon for those prone to forming kidney stones, the findings suggest.

“Lemons are very high in citrates, which inhibit the growth of kidney stones,” according to Loyola Professor John Milner. Lemonade, not the powdered variety that uses artificial flavoring, actually slows the development of kidney stones for those who are prone to the development of kidney stones, asserts Professor Milner.

Notably, renal stones build up when the urine contains more crystal-forming substances such as calcium, uric acid and a compound called oxalate, which can be diluted by the available fluid.