Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys or urinary tract. Also called nephrolithiasis, one in every 20 people develop kidney stones at some point in their life.

Treatment includes pain relievers and drinking lots of water to help pass the stone.

Medical procedures may be required to remove or break up larger stones.

Here are seven natural preventive measures you should take to avoid kidney stones.

1. Pomegranate juice

The antioxidants and natural astringent properties of this fruit can help to break up kidney stones when these nutrients reach the kidney and prevent high oxalate levels in the body.

Drinking one glass each day should be a good preventative measure for the stones’ development.

2. Watermelon

Watermelon is a potassium-packed fruit that can help combat kidney stones, particularly those formed of magnesium and calcium phosphates.

Potassium is integral to lowering acid levels in the urine, which can prevent the development of these stones.

3. Kidney beans

Although their name is based on their shape, they also happen to be excellent beans for kidney stones.

All legumes, in fact, have high levels of insoluble fibre, which can bind calcium in the stool, rather than letting it pass into the urinary system.

With lower levels of calcium in the urine, it will be harder for kidney stones to form. Other foods rich in insoluble fiber include corn, eggplants, greens, peas, onions, and garlic.

4. Magnesium

One of the commonalities between people who suffer from kidney stones is a deficiency in magnesium.

In fact, research shows that taking magnesium supplements can offset more than 90 percent of kidney stone cases. Some of the foods highest in magnesium include spinach, nuts, fish, beans, avocados, yogurt, and dark chocolate.

5. Basil

This ancient herbal remedy has long been considered a tonic for the kidneys, and specifically for mineral deposition, it helps to expel these materials from the kidney early in their formation, so they are smaller and thus less painful to pass through the ureter.

6. Whole grains

The best source of high concentrations of insoluble fibre come from whole grain cereals in their many forms.

This fiber can optimize the digestive system, but also bind with calcium and lower the levels of minerals that are pushed into the urine. This will help prevent the buildup of the minerals that form kidney stones.

7. Drink lots of water

One of the most basic causes of kidney stones is dehydration.

By drinking large amounts of water, it can help flush the kidneys and break up some of those stones that have already formed or at least make passing the stones less painful.

Credits: TheCable