A 13-year-old girl was recently confessedto the hospital with signs of severe kidney failure. Her symptoms were fatigue, swelling in her legs, decreased urine output, and high blood pressure. Her parents were surprised — she had always seemed healthy and had no known medical conditions.
During the initial examination, the doctor asked three simple but essential questions:
- Do you drink enough water every day?
- Do you often take any medication or supplements?
- What do you usually drink instead of water?
The girl’s answer to the third question shared a amazing truth: she had been consuming several bottles of sweetened iced tea and soda every day for over a year, completely replacing water.
Doctors think that the high levels of sugar, caffeine, and phosphoric acid in these beverages put enormous strain on her kidneys. Over time, this habit caused her kidney function to reduce rapidly without alarming early symptoms.
“Many people, especially teenagers, underestimate the long-term harm of sugary drinks,” said the doctor. “They’re not just bad for your teeth and weight — they can seriously affect internal organs too.”
What’s more regarding is that this isn’t a rare case. The rise in chronic kidney disease among young people is becoming a silent health risk, largely influenced by poor dietary choices and excessive consumption of processed drinks.
Experts urge both parents and teens to strict sugary beverages and support drinking water as the primary source of hydration. Even adults, who often turn to these drinks for quick energy, are at risk if consumption is not moderated.
As for the young girl, she’s now experiencing dialysis and may need a kidney transplant in the future. Her case is considered as a arduous reminder: what we drink daily matters just as much as what we eat.