Does Beer Help Prevent Kidney Stones?

Via In Depth Nigeria:

In a study published in the American Journal of Epidermiology, researchers found that consumption of beer was associated with the decreased risk of kidney stones. For each bottle of beer consumed per day, the risk of kidney stones was reduced by 40 percent.

Researchers believe alcohol suppresses the excretion of vasopressin, resulting in increased urine flow and more dilute urine. But the protective effect of beer could be mediated through water or alcohol.