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Kidneys are among the most vital organs in the body, responsible for filtering waste, balancing fluids, supporting blood pressure and hormone regulation.
In today's fast-paced lifestyles and unhealthy diets, the function of the kidney can easily be compromised, and this could lead to effects such as fatigue, excessive water retention or even chronic kidney disease.
Here is the good news though, you don’t need expensive cleanses or harsh supplements to support your kidneys. There are certain foods that help cleanse and detox the kidneys naturally.
Top Kidney Detox Foods to Include in Your Diet
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These are foods that can help you to flush out toxins, reduce inflammation, and improve your general kidney function.
READ ALSO: Health risks of living with a single kidney
1. Lemon Water
Lemon water is particularly great in the mornings or before going to bed. A warm glass of lemon water is simple to fix yet effective in many ways to support your kidneys.
Lemon water
According to healthline, citric acid may help prevent kidney stones by increasing urine volume and increasing urine pH, creating a less favorable environment for kidney stone formation.
As a powerful natural cleanser, lemon juice contains citric acid that increases citrate level in urine, helping to prevent kidney stone crystals from forming. The juice is also packed with vitamin C and antioxidants helpful in flushing out toxins from the body.
Tip: Squeeze a desired amount of lemon juice into a glass of warm water for a daily gentle detox.
2. Cranberries
Cranberries are small but rich in antioxidants, especially proanthocyanidins, and this helps to prevent harmful bacteria from sticking onto the lining of the urinary tract, thus reducing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), a common cause of kidney infections.
Cranberries
A study by Kidney and Hypertension Center (KHC) on healthy foods for kidney function, shows that cranberries are low in potassium and high in vitamin C, making them another great choice for people with kidney disease.
It is advisable to either drink unsweetened cranberry juice or eat dried/fresh cranberries in order to support urinary tract health and protect the kidneys long-term.
3. Beets
Beets or beetroots are a powerful source of nitrates and antioxidants like betalains. They are often described as nature’s “blood flow booster.”
Beetroot juice
They help to improve blood flow, reduce oxidative stress, and support kidney filtration. Beets also aid in detoxification processes in the liver, which can ease the burden on the kidneys.
It is also important to note that an excessive amount of beet juice could come with side effects such as beeturia (pink or red urine and stool) and digestive upset. HealthMatch suggests limiting the intake of oxalate, a compound found in plant-based foods such as beets, spinach, almonds and cocoa, to no more than 75 to 100g per day.
Tip: Blend fresh beet juice or add roasted beets to your salad and take as often as possible.
4. Garlic
Garlic is known for its great flavor and scent, but it is also a natural diuretic and inflammation fighter. It is high in allicin, to help reduce cholesterol and maintain the blood pressure, two major contributors to kidney disease.
Garlic
According to Science Direct, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, garlic is a good nutritional food candidate for use in a “Food as Medicine” approach for chronic kidney disease.
Garlic is a key element that helps to eliminate excess sodium and fluid in the kidneys. Aside from that, garlic also helps to boost heart health and reduce the risk of liver injury.
Tip: Add fresh, raw garlic to your food, soups or use a desired amount of garlic ground into a glass of warm water.
READ ALSO: Watch Dr. Pimple Popper Pop a 'Garlic Clove' from a Patient's Cyst
5. Apples
They are enriched with antioxidants, fibers, and anti-inflammatory components that help reduce cholesterol, balance blood sugar, and support digestion, all these are vital in maintaining a healthy kidney.
Apples
Apples have high fiber content which helps to promote toxin elimination through the digestive system, thus easing the kidney.
National Kidney Foundation lists apples as low in potassium, phosphorus, and sodium so they are a great choice for a kidney friendly diet. They are safe to eat for the following kidney conditions;
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Hemodialysis(way to treat advanced kidney failure and can help you carry on an active life despite failing kidneys)
Daily Home and Nocturnal Hemodialysis/ Peritoneal Dialysis
Kidney Stones
Tip: Take an apple daily or blend it into smoothies for sufficient kidney-friendly fiber boost. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”.
Bonus Tip: No kidney detox is complete without proper hydration. Drink at least 6–8 glasses of water a day to support optimal kidney function and flush out toxins.
READ ALSO: Believe Any of These 5 Hydration Myths and Your Health Could Suffer