EDITOR’S PICK:
Studies are discovering more links between super foods, chronic diseases and inflammation that may prevent or protect against undesirable fatty acid oxidation, a condition that occurs when the oxygen in your body reacts with fats in your blood and your cells.
However, foods that contain antioxidants can help neutralize free radicals and protect the body. Many of the foods that protect against oxidation are included in the kidney diet and make excellent choices for dialysis patients or people with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
The kidneys are the much-maligned filtering system of the human body. Without their existence, the entirety of the human organism would crumble. All the excess waste and water are being handled by the kidneys. In fact, they are the fundamental exporter of toxic and waste matter. In cooperation with the urinal tract, they form an efficient detoxification system. Your organs need fuel and there is no organ more crucial than the kidneys.
In order to treat them right, you need to have a constant roster of beneficial foods. By having such foods at your disposal, you will ensure the healthy functioning of the given organ. If you, however, choose not to, you may pay the toll in the far future. That’s why we’ve decided to compile a list of the 15 most beneficial kidney-aiding foods.
The best thing about these foods is their wide availability and ease of preparation. Give them a chance and your body will be very thankful!
In order to achieve optimal urinal and kidney health, it’s important to take cabbage into consideration. Even today, it’s not just a healthy addition to your diet. Instead, it has proven to be a worthy natural remedy for many maladies. It doesn’t only treat the stomach and its surroundings, but the entire body. Of course, kidneys are one key component of that body.
Essentially, cabbage lets the kidneys get their repairs and nourishment. Ever since the ancient times, a cabbage filled diet was a must for anyone suffering from kidney problems. To combat any infections and dangerous conditions, cabbage has been inserted in increased doses. It’s the key component in the so-called dialysis diet. You may know it also as the “flushing out” diet. By that, we mean a diet that is tailor-made for detoxification and flushing out toxins. Foods that are in it should be low in potassium. Cabbage fits the bill perfectly.
In order to boost the effectiveness of the detoxification agents, cabbage also has a lot of phytochemicals. These compounds are valuable plant-based free radical opponents. By eradicating free radicals, they ensure perfect kidney health and organ functioning. An abundance of such chemicals provides efficiency, plus better urinal excretion. This is why cabbage is, by all means, a quintessential addition to any healthy-striving diet.
Along with the usual suspects, cabbage has other valuable micronutrients. Vitamins B6 and C also safeguard the kidneys and ensure picture perfect health in every situation. Moreover, you can also find remnants of vitamin K within the cabbage’s structure. This micronutrient plays an important role in blood clot prevention. This is why cabbage’s benefits transcend just the urinary system.
2. Berries
Fruit is the ultimate health benefit arsenal. You don’t have to eat it in abundance and it still benefits your organism in unfathomable ways. The best fruit diet is a diet that consists of multiple different types. However, if we had to espouse one type of fruit as an essential one – it would have to be berries. Numerous varieties exist, so it’s pretty much impossible not to like them.
One thing that berries can do is benefit your kidney health. They do it like no other food in existence. With a formidable modus operandi, they can be counted on as one of the best natural remedies for this cause. Their secret is a high antioxidant content. They can, even in small quantities, benefit the overall quality of your urinary system. Because of those antioxidants, berries are more than capable of driving away free radicals.
Again with those free radicals, right? Well, in order to have an inflammation-free organism it’s necessary to drive them away. Multiple studies have revealed them as key inflammation causes in every organ system. Hence, berries can benefit the urinary one. By eradicating inflammations, every single nephron and inch of your urinary tract will be healthy. Also, those annoying bladder problems can be a thing of the past.
Strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, and blueberries – any type of this is able to improve the overall well-being of your organism. Fiber and folate are also crucial parts of their miraculous influence on the body. Manganese should also be mentioned as a quintessential and paramount component of the berries’ composition. Without it, their influence wouldn’t even be as nearly as strong.
3. Fish
The nutritive value of some foods somehow isn’t the priority. We, as a society somehow tend to prioritize foods that we are used to. The same goes with meat. All kinds of meat we consume don’t stem from aiming for benefits, but out of habitual reasons. Veal, pork and other varieties are being prioritized over the crown jewel of healthy meats – fish. This often misunderstood food group is coincidentally the most beneficial one.
Amongst other cerebral and somatic benefits, fish contain large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Their benefit list is a mile long, but the most significant one is often disregarded. This is, of course, the anti-inflammation effect omega-3 has on the entire body. This is crucial for kidney health in every sense. Since they are connected to the urinary tract and urethra, infection and inflammation possibilities are pretty high. Therefore, a safeguard is due to keeping the free radicals and bacteria at bay.
This is why people in the Far East have almost no kidney problems whatsoever. Their whole diet is based around fish. Because of this, you won’t see them having any significant health problems whatsoever. Diabetes patients will also benefit from fish consumption. It lowers their abnormal protein levels in the urine. It also keeps insulin resistance at bay – key factors in improving the way the body filters out waste.
Furthermore, you don’t have to overeat anytime you have a chance to eat fish. Two or three servings per week are the ideal measure for it. What types to focus on? Well, we would like to point out the following – salmon, mackerel, herring, rainbow trout and tuna. Others will do, but these are incredible in their own way.
4. Egg Whites
Kidney diseases often require high amounts of protein to be treated and eradicates. This is why fish is such a great solution when it comes to treating your urinary tract. But, why is protein so great for urinary infections? Well, high-quality protein is easier to get metabolized within the body. Therefore, it produces less waste and puts less strain on the kidney system as a whole. And what’s one of the cheapest and best sources of high-quality protein? Eggs!
In particular, we mean egg whites. They are one of the best and most abundant sources of high-quality protein in the entire natural wood. Throughout history, they have balanced on the fine line between superfood and miraculous natural remedy. Thankfully, we can harness their abilities to treat kidney conditions. Not only can we treat existing ones, but we can also prevent yet dormant ones.
Another key factor in the egg whites’ benefit to kidney health is an insanely low phosphorous content. Phosphorous, along with calcium, is the key bone builder and heart protective mineral in the entire body. If the kidneys aren’t functioning properly, you might be facing hyperphosphatemia. In this abundance of phosphorous, the kidneys won’t be able to process it and it will cause problems. This is why egg whites are so crucial.
Of course, when battling any condition, physical activity is of the utmost importance. The stronger the body is, the faster it will eradicate any tricky condition. Eggs are an excellent choice to promote a stronger body. Egg whites contain all sorts of essential amino acids and resilient proteins. As you build your strength through dieting and exercise, you will be able to purge any kidney problems whatsoever. It’s a guarantee, more or less.
5. Olive oil
Olive oil is the crucial part of the so-called Mediterranean Diet. It’s a collective name for the dietary habits of all the nations on the Mediterranean Sea. This includes Greece, Italy, Spain, France and to a lesser extent Spain. All of these peoples have one thing in common – a long lifespan. That long lifespan is due to a healthy, natural food filled diet.
What’s another thing these peoples have in common? An almost nonexistent rate of kidney diseases, that’s what. Olive oil has a great say in this situation. It is superabundant with healthy fatty acids. These acids have a proficient anti-inflammatory effect on the entire human body, mainly the kidneys. Such an effect is accomplished by lowering oxidative stress that occurs in the kidneys.
With a lowered amount of oxidative stress in the entire kidney system, your urinary tract will be much more efficient. You won’t get any bladder inflammations or problems whatsoever. Therefore, it’s essential that you add olive oil to some extent into your diet. It’s almost unnoticeable difference but means the world to your kidneys.
By removing free radicals and inflammation-causing enzymes from your organism, you achieve a medical breakthrough of your own. This allows your body to process waste much faster and much more efficiently than usual. The best thing of all is the ease of use of olive oil. You can use it as a dressing or just dip bread in it. Fish are especially delicious when marinated with it. Why not combine two kidney health beneficial foods at once?
6. Garlic
Garlic has been known as the enemy of bacteria and infections for a long, long time. No matter how well known its existing properties are, this beneficial vegetable never ceases to amaze us. One incredible characteristic of garlic is especially interesting. We’re talking about its eradicative methods of removing heavy metals from the body. And which organs need assistance with such removal? The kidneys, of course!
Heavy metals can cause chronic problems within the organism, due to their toxic influence. What’s more, garlic really does remove toxic matter from the blood. It does it in many ways. Firstly, it’s important to mention its anticlotting properties. This characteristic improves the bloodstream which means more oxygen to the kidneys. More oxygen equals more efficiency in every sense of the word. Stronger kidneys give you a better chance of conquering any problems.
When battling a kidney condition, your body will need all the help it can get. This leads us to the second most important influence garlic has on kidneys. It completely eradicates any signs of inflammation. Bladder and urethra inflammations are two of the nastiest and most annoying conditions in existence. They are sensitive to infections too. That sensitivity won’t be a problem anymore, with garlic’s antiseptic effect.
You don’t have to overdo your garlic consumption. One or two cloves can greatly decrease your bad cholesterol and safeguard your kidneys in every way possible. You can eat the raw on an empty stomach or indulge in a delicious meal with garlic as a makeshift spice. It’s completely up to you. The benefits are there.
7. Onions
Onions and garlic have been grouped together for a long time. It’s no wonder because they both contain high levels of antioxidants. These valuable compounds have a known role in decreasing inflammation severity and quantity throughout the body. While garlic is widely known for its antiseptic properties, onion has some incredible benefits of its own. It too has an antiseptic influence on the entire organism. Because of this, it is able to express its other influential effects.
All of these abilities have one thing in common – they crack down on kidney diseases, thus improving the overall health of your urinary system. One significant trait of onion is the high content of chromium. This crucial mineral is responsible for metabolizing all the macronutrients the body encounters. A better metabolizing of fats, proteins and fat means much less waste for the kidneys to handle. The less strain the kidneys experience, the more durable they will be in your later years.
Furthermore, onions also contain very low amounts of potassium. This is important because of certain kidney conditions. When they are in a dire state, they can no longer process excess potassium. The levels in the body quickly build up and you will contract hyperkalemia. Some of the symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and numbness throughout the body. This is why onions are an important brick in the foundation of our diet.
Not only are they good for kidneys, but onions can also be a natural remedy for many forms of bladder infections. The antioxidants form a protective wall all over the urethra and guard it against free radicals and bacteria. This delicious vegetable is an indispensable part of every healthy diet, for everyone.
8. Red Bell Peppers
Kidneys often don’t get the respect they deserve. We oft-times disregard the immense amount of benefits we receive from their functioning around the clock. One of the most prominent things that kidneys take care of is toxic waste removal. Toxicity is a property of many substances found in foods, most often processed ones. This type of matter cannot be deemed as a nutrient and the body reacts to their presence with extreme measures.
Toxic chemicals may also deteriorate your organism slowly if you don’t pay attention nor give your kidneys the right assistance. One food has been recently lauded as a miracle worker for kidneys is the red bell pepper. Several Canadian studies have confirmed that red bell pepper places in the top five foods for toxic waste removal. It’s also low in potassium, which is great for people with more sensitive or deteriorated kidneys.
What makes red bell pepper an integral part of a healthy diet are the vast micronutrients within it. Vitamins A, B6 and many others contribute to the immune system and kidney health. On top of all these beneficial contents, red bell pepper has one more trick up its sleeve. That trick is the presence of lycopene – a powerful, cancer-battling antioxidant.
Red bell peppers are not only efficient in battling the deterioration of the kidneys, but they are also important for the well-being of the entire body. When you’re able to choose between multiple foods beneficial for kidneys, you can have one crucial criterium. By judging the best overall health benefits, you will be able to choose the best solution for you. Red bell peppers are about as an ideal choice you can encounter.
9. Cauliflower
When battling a kidney related condition, it’s important to have assistance. This is because kidneys can only remove some toxins from the body, even in their healthiest state possible. That assistance can often come in the form of various healthy foods found all around us. Some choices, in this case, are not only obvious but beneficial beyond our comprehension. One such “assister” is at the helm of the cruciferous vegetable group. We’re talking about cauliflower, of course.
The thing that sets cauliflower apart is the presence of several plant-exclusive components in abundant quantities. A couple of those compounds are glucosinolates, indoles, thiocyanates. When found in plants, these substances create a natural barrier against bacteria and pests. The human body is able to absorb them and achieve optimal absorption in the process. When ingested, glucosinolate reduces inflammation and relieves the kidneys of their strain.
Cauliflower can also promote a better digestive system. Due to a large amount of fiber within it, cauliflower promotes the improvement of intestinal flora in every way possible. It too has anti-clotting and antioxidant properties. A reduction in blood clots causes blood to circulate faster and blood vessels to gain elasticity. Such an improvement in the vascular part of the body directly affects the kidneys. The nephrons will get more oxygen and will battle toxic waste more valiantly.
There are a few Australian studies that claim that cauliflower prevents tumor cells from multiplying. Substances within it normalize the DNA matrix and destroy any ongoing tumor developments. Cauliflower is much than a kidney health aid. It provides the body with sufficient materials to better all possible functions, regardless of locations. It’s safe to say that cauliflower is an indispensable part of a healthy diet.
10. Apples
Berries aren’t the only fruit that can provide kidneys with additional fortitude. Apples are also an excellent candidate. They can work in par with berries, mostly because they have some different and some similar characteristics. The similarities span in a multitude of directions. Like berries, they give the organism the gift of many instances of fiber and antioxidants. An actual number is not known, mostly because there are so many species available.
A study in Belgium was conducted with a number of sexually active women. One group was given three apples to eat every day, while the other group had no apples whatsoever. During the three month period, women in the first group had no Urinary Canal Infections or UCIs. This goes to show that apples give your urethra a greater resistance to external influence.
Not only this, but they also accelerate the kidney’s way of functioning, especially in dire situations. When experiencing kidney stones, you can eat an increased amount of apples daily. This is because they make the stone softer, smaller and easier to pass. Every renowned doctor and clinic recommends them to kidney stone patients.
Aside from the obvious benefits, apples are a good dessert. They contain a healthy amount of fructose for the organism to digest. If you’re looking for an ideal candidate to start improving your kidney health, apples are the best choice. Avoiding them would be a mistake.
11. Cinnamon
The kidneys great fight against toxic substances cannot be ignored. They need assistance such as the cinnamon which is known to be used in regulating the blood glucose levels. In that regard, it manages the glucose levels in the blood to prevent blood sugar related problems. Mind you, high glucose levels in individuals with diabetes can damage the kidneys.
For those with renal problems, adding cinnamon can have many benefits. There is no better way of getting the high source of fiber, manganese, iron, and calcium than from cinnamon. What about this, it can be used to treat various ailments including cold, nausea, diarrhea and indigestion.
The diabetes mellitus is a type of diabetes that causes kidney problems. But there is help available.Taking cinnamon will control the blood sugar levels and this prevents further degeneration of the kidney functions. There are studies which have proven that it can regulate blood glucose levels, increase the amount of insulin and improve hemoglobin.
Having weight problems is no longer an issue since it can control it. This is significant when it comes to controlling blood pressure and blood sugar. These are the main causes of renal failures in individuals.
The prevention properties are not all that it brings to the table, it can prevent and cure bacterial infections in the kidneys and urinary tract. Further, it helps to prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
What sets cinnamon apart is its ability to remove the blood clots and improves the circulation of blood. This increases the blood flow to the kidneys as well as to the other body parts. Those affected by fatigue, lack of energy and cold, it can give you relief to such problems.
Cinnamon has been proven that it is an effective natural remedy to kidney problems. However, it should be taken appropriately as it can cause some side effects or some people can react to it.
12. Kidney Beans
Kidney beans have a lot of nutritional values that help the health of the kidneys. Call it a coincidence in its name, it’s shaped like the body organ – the kidney. What makes them unique are their soluble and insoluble fiber properties and low fat. These assists in promoting the cardiovascular well-being and keeps your blood pressure low.
The fiber in kidney beans assists to regulate the blood sugar levels. They have low amounts of sodium, sugar, and cholesterol. They are a rich source of low-fat protein, magnesium, potassium and amino acids. It has to be noted that lack of magnesium and potassium in the body can increase the risks of getting kidney stones.
They are not only used in homes as part of the delicious food but treating kidney stones problems as well. The kidney stone pain can be treated by cooking the pods after removing the beans in purified water. You can then strain and drink after cooling it. It’s as easy as that!
You don’t want to miss it because kidney beans should also be taken by those who don’t have kidney problems. They generally contribute to the overall balanced diet and kidney health. For those who already have the kidney problems, kidney bean is a great source of getting the required nutrients.
However, this needs to be carefully monitored and controlled because kidney beans have phosphorus, potassium, protein, and magnesium. The kidneys will remove any of the dietary excesses from your body. If there are excess proteins, this can promote the loss of kidney tissues.
Those suffering from chronic kidney problems, the presence of potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium can cause the kidneys to overwork which is supposed to be avoided at all cost in such situations. It’s advisable to seek medical advice from your doctor in such situations.
13. Java Tea
The java tea has been used as a natural medicine for many years and its benefits have been recognized. It’s not like any other tea! Apart from being taken in kidney problems, it is used to help the liver and gastrointestinal tract problems. It can regulate the blood sugar level, it’s an antioxidant and regulates blood pressure. You just need to get the leaves and flowers to make the tea.
Java tea has beneficial compounds called polyphenols, flavonoids and potassium that help in keeping the body healthy. The terpenic compounds that are found in the leaves have been found to be effective in the treatment of cancer.
It is known to be beneficial in the treatment of various diseases including renal and urinary infections. It has a mild diuretic effect and increases the excretion of urea and uric acid. Therefore, using its leaves will help you get a high concentration of the terpenic.
It again lowers high levels of the creatinine and uric acid. It increases the the glomerular filtration and renal blood circulation that allows the removal of toxic and waste products. In that way it lowers the creatinine and uric acid.
The great news is that some of the symptoms from the kidney problems can be reduced. It is used to treat those with high blood pressure, kidney infections and breaking down the kidney stones. Apart from these, it is a good cure for joint pains, gout, fatigue and rheumatism. Depending on your illness, it might require to get proper medical advice before you start taking the tea. When the function of the kidney is increased then the creatinine and uric acid will be lowered.
What makes this amazing is that it can be taken by both of those suffering from the kidney problems and those not.
14. Ginger
Ginger is in a class of its own. Its healing properties are just unbelievable. It is used in the treatment of different types of diseases that including the renal problems. The underground stem of ginger has been used as a natural medicine for a long time and is recommended for those suffering from motion sickness, nausea and vomiting.
The kidney problems can be terrible and might require extra help. Using alternative treatments such as ginger can have its benefits. Ginger has also good amounts of vitamin C and B3, folic acid, iron, calcium and protein. It is mainly used in treating kidney stones.
Kidney stones are the crystallization that occurs in the kidneys. The blood clots and minerals form hardened lumps that are called the kidney stones. When they enter the urethra or bladder, there is friction with the kidney walls and this causes extreme pain. Therefore, taking ginger alleviates this problem by preventing the blood from clotting in the first place. It cleanses the blood from toxic and waste metabolism to ensure that the kidneys are not affected.
It activates the antioxidant pathways for those suffering from renal failure. It provides protection from toxin-mediated kidney damage that happens through alcohol-induced damage and chemotherapy.
The list of benefits is endless. It is used to prevent the damage of the kidneys and alleviates the kidney pain. It helps improve the healing process for those that have undergone kidney stone surgery. Importantly, it cleanses the blood and dissolves kidney stones ensuring that the kidney’s performance is not affected. When you take ginger, it helps the kidneys by preventing the blood clots that may affect the flow of blood to the kidneys.
The pain and tenderness that are caused by the kidney stones are immensely reduced. Ginger works as an antioxidant that helps to filter the toxins in the kidneys. These toxins are passed out through urine.
15 Cucumber
You might not be alone, cucumber is a fruit but most people take it as a vegetable. It takes a while to realize it’s nutritional importance. This fruit has a number of benefits that include treating renal problems.
It has large amounts of water which constitute about 90%. Due to this large amount of water, it is a good fruit to eat for hydration and cooling the body. Apart from this, it has a large content of vitamin A and C, molybdenum, potassium, manganese, folate, silica and fibre.
Because cucumber has a rich source of nutrients, it is used in the treatment of kidney stones. It washes the debris and dissolves the small stones from the kidneys. The kidney stones can be painful and uncomfortable. It helps the body remove excess uric acid that can cause those kidney stones. People suffering from the kidney stones require drinking lots and lots of water and eating fresh cucumbers helps alleviate this problem.
FURTHER READING:
Cucumber has also potassium, magnesium and fibre that are used for treating both low blood pressure and high blood pressure. Studies have also shown that the sterols that are found in cucumber may help reduce cholesterol levels. This means that the risks of getting heart problems are greatly reduced. The fibre is good in the digestion system as it increases the bulk. With the presence of enough water, it means the risk of getting constipated are significantly reduced.
It also helps to protect the body from inflammation, gum problems and other tissues surrounding the teeth. Cucumbers are low in calories and fat but have large amounts of vitamins and minerals that make them good dietary food to be considered. They can be cooked or taken as a snack and is good dietary food for those with urinary problems or not.
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