How to Reduce Acid in Urine

When urine becomes acidic, uric acid stones may form in the kidneys. Kidney stones cause symptoms such as pain in the back or side, burning during urination, blood in the urine and nausea. Lab tests on your urine can determine the acidity level and screen for risk factors that may cause the kidney stones. Risk factors that may increase the acidity of urine include starvation, diarrhea and uncontrolled diabetes. Making changes to your diet and lifestyle may help reduce the acidity of your urine and decrease the formation of kidney stones.

Step 1

Drink water. Drinking plenty of water will help prevent kidney stones and will help decrease the acidity of your urine by diluting it. The amount of water necessary for your body depends on factors such as your activity level, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

Step 2

Eat vegetables, citrus fruits and beans to help decrease the acidity in your urine. Diets high in animal protein such as meat and dairy products may cause and increase in acidic urine.

Step 3

Decrease the amount of purine-rich foods you eat. Foods containing high amounts of purines include organ meats, fish and eggs. Uric acid forms in the urine when the body breaks down purines.

Step 4

Lose weight. Being overweight increases the risk of uric acid in the urine. Eat a healthy diet and exercise each day to help reduce weight, recommends Jill Pluhar, R.D.

Step 5

Avoid products such as cranberry juice or ascorbic acid because these items may increase urine acid levels.

Step 6

Urinate when you first feel the urge. Holding urine in the bladder causes a decrease in water content in the urine and makes it more acidic.

Step 7

Stop taking medications that cause a decrease in urine pH levels, which is acidic urine. Medications that may cause acidic urine include thiazide diuretics and ammonium chloride, according to MedlinePlus.