The 4 Top Foods To Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

Photo credit: bigstock.com

Photo credit: bigstock.com

2. Sweet berries

Sweet berries like blueberries, black currants, raspberries, and more are an excellent way to take some of the strain off your kidneys. Because they are so rich in anthocyanins and other antioxidants, they help fight some of the free radical impurities your kidneys would otherwise be left to clean up.

 

3. Cranberries

These tart and delicious berries are packed with antioxidants that fight harmful free radicals and protect your kidneys. Consuming cranberries can actually help your kidneys do their job better by helping your body produce more uric acid. Cranberries also help prevent the buildup of bacteria within the bladder. Cranberry juice is also a good option. However, it is important to make sure that it is 100 percent pure cranberry juice. Just juice and water, nothing else. If it is one of the brands that has sugar, or even worse — high fructose corn syrup — it will negate any benefits you get from drinking it.

 

4. Leafy green vegetables

Leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach are highly beneficial for maintaining healthy kidneys. In addition to being low in potassium and rich in vitamins A and C, these two vegetables are also a good source of iron. Many people with kidney disease are afflicted with an iron deficiency. Since regular dietary intake of iron helps the kidneys function better, it’s an obvious solution: Eat more iron.

 

READ ALSO: How Your Diet Impacts Kidney Health

 

Oftentimes, what you don’t do is just as important as what you do. If you are at risk for kidney disease, avoid eating foods with too much sodium, phosphorous, and potassium. Diets very high in protein can also put excessive strain on the kidneys, so reduce your intake of meat as well. If you’re not at risk — enjoy, just don’t over indulge.

References:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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