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Here’s how lemon juice may fend off kidney stones

Nanoparticles in the juice slowed the formation of the stones in rats

A photo of several lemons, some cut in half, and a small pitcher of lemon juice sitting on a wood counter top with a juicer in the background.

Lemon juice is a well-known home remedy for kidney stones. Now, researchers have a better idea about how it works.

Anastasiia Krivenok/Moment/Getty Images Plus

By Meghan Rosen

A surprise ingredient may explain how lemon juice puts the squeeze on kidney stones.

Lemons contain nanoparticles that, when fed to rats, block stone formation, scientists report in the Feb. 22 Nano Letters. If the tiny sacs do the same for humans, the nanoparticles might one day offer a way to prevent kidney stones in people, says pharmaceutical scientist Hongzhi Qiao of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine.