An urologist has recently warned all ice-tea lovers that excessive drinking of iced tea may lead to the formation of kidney stones as high concentrations of oxalate has been found in it, which is one of the chief chemicals which causes kidney stones.

Even though warm tea is also a carrier of oxalate, the formation of stones isn't that frequent as it is difficult to large amounts of it. Iced tea is worst for people who have a tendency to form kidney stones. Most at risk are men, postmenopausal women with low oestrogen levels and women who have removed their ovaries.

Kidney stones are usually drained out from the body without any harm, but the bigger ones get stuck in the ureter due to their size.

Though iced tea is a very popular and sought after drink in the hot summers due to its better taste than most fluids, water is suggested to be the best fluid over any other, maybe flavored with lemon slices. Lemon, being concentrate with citrates, can in fact kill the growth of kidney stones.

Other things which must be avoided to avoid kidney stones are spinach, chocolate, rhubarb, nuts, salt and meat.