Kidney Beneficial Foods and Kidney Harmful Foods

Foods that are beneficial for the kidneys provide a kidney-friendly diet, while foods that are harmful to the kidneys can cause kidney patients to have problems.

Kidney disease is a common problem affecting 10% of the world's population. Kidneys are small bean-shaped organs that perform many important functions. They are responsible for filtering waste products, releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure, balancing fluids in the body, producing urine, and many other essential tasks.

These vital organs are damaged for some reason. Diabetes ve hypertensionare the most common risk factors for kidney disease. However, obesity, smoking, genetics, gender and age also increase the risk.

Uncontrolled blood sugar and high blood pressure damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, reducing their ability to function at an optimal level. When the kidneys are not working properly, some waste is formed. Therefore, people with kidney disease need to follow a special diet.

Nutrition in kidney patients

Food restrictions vary depending on the level of kidney damage. For example, people in the early stages of kidney disease must apply different restrictions than those with kidney failure.

If you have kidney disease, your doctor will determine the best diet for your individual needs. For most people with advanced kidney disease, a kidney-friendly diet reduces the amount of waste in the blood. This diet is often referred to as the kidney diet. It helps improve kidney function while preventing further damage.

While dietary restrictions vary according to the extent of the disease, it is generally recommended that people with kidney disease limit the following nutrients:

• Sodium: Sodium It is found in many foods and is an essential ingredient in table salt. Damaged kidneys cannot filter sodium too much. It is generally recommended to consume less than 2000 mg of sodium per day.

• Potassium: Potassium plays a critical role in the body. But those with kidney disease should limit potassium to avoid potentially high blood levels. It is generally recommended to consume less than 2000 mg of potassium per day.
• Phosphorus: Damaged kidneys cannot excrete excess phosphorus, a mineral in many foods. High levels can harm the body. Therefore, in most patients, phosphorus is limited to less than 800-1000 mg per day.
• Protein: People with kidney disease, protein It is another food they may need to limit, as waste products in their metabolism cannot be eliminated by damaged kidneys.

Kidney disease is different in every person, so it is necessary to create an individual program with a dietitian. 

Now let's talk about foods that are beneficial for the kidneys.

Foods Beneficial for Kidneys

Cauliflower

Cauliflower It is a nutritious and kidney-beneficial food rich in many nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin K and vitamin B. It's packed with anti-inflammatory compounds like indoles and fiber. The amount of nutrients that kidney patients should limit in 124 grams of cooked cauliflower is as follows;

• Sodium: 19 mg
• Potassium: 176 mg
• Phosphorus: 40 mg

Blueberries

Blueberries It's packed with nutrients and is one of the best sources of antioxidants you can eat. This sweet fruit contains antioxidants called anthocyanins, which may protect against heart disease, certain cancers, cognitive decline and diabetes in particular.

Also, because it is low in sodium, phosphorus and potassium, it is a beneficial food for the kidneys. 148 grams of fresh blueberries contains:

• Sodium: 1.5 mg
• Potassium: 114 mg
• Phosphorus: 18 mg

Perch

Perch, omega 3 It is a high-quality protein source with incredibly healthy fats called Omega 3 helps reduce the risk of inflammation, cognitive decline, depression and anxiety.

While all fish are high in phosphorus, sea bass contains lower amounts than other seafood. However, it is useful to consume small portions to keep phosphorus levels under control. 85 grams of cooked sea bass contains:

• Sodium: 74 mg
• Potassium: 279 mg
• Phosphorus: 211 mg

Red grapes

Red grapes provide many nutrients. It is high in vitamin C and contains antioxidants called flavonoids, which reduce inflammation.

Additionally, resveratrol, which is high in red grapes, is a type of flavonoid that benefits heart health and protects against diabetes and cognitive decline. 75 grams of this sweet fruit, which is among the foods beneficial for the kidneys, contains:

• Sodium: 1.5 mg
• Potassium: 144 mg
• Phosphorus: 15 mg

Egg white

Although egg yolk is very nutritious, it contains high amounts of phosphorus. egg white It is more suitable for the nutrition of kidney patients.

It is an excellent choice for people undergoing dialysis treatment who need high protein but need to limit phosphorus. Two large egg whites (66 grams) contain:

• Sodium: 110 mg
• Potassium: 108 mg
• Phosphorus: 10 mg

Garlic

People with kidney problems are advised to limit their sodium intake. GarlicIt is a delicious alternative to salt and adds flavor to meals while providing nutritional benefits.

It is a good source of manganese, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Contains sulfur compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. Three cloves (9 grams) of garlic contain:

• Sodium: 1.5 mg
• Potassium: 36 mg
• Phosphorus: 14 mg

Olive oil

Olive oilIt is a healthy source that does not contain fat and phosphorus. Perfect for those with kidney disease.

Most of the oil in olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties oleic acid called monounsaturated fat. Monounsaturated fats are stable at high temperatures, making olive oil a healthy choice for cooking. 28 grams of olive oil contains:

• Sodium: 0.6 mg
• Potassium: 0,3 mg
• Phosphorus: 0 mg

bulgur

Compared to other cereals that are high in phosphorus and potassium, bulgur is among the foods that are beneficial for the kidneys. This nutritious grain is a good source of B vitamins, magnesium, iron and manganese.

It is also packed with plant-based protein and dietary fiber that is important for digestive health. 91 grams of bulgur contains:

• Sodium: 4.5 mg
• Potassium: 62 mg
• Phosphorus: 36 mg

Cabbage

CabbageIt belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family. It is loaded with vitamins, minerals and powerful plant compounds. It is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin C and many B vitamins.

It also provides insoluble fiber, a type of fiber that keeps the digestive tract healthy by promoting bowel movement and adding bulk to stool. The amount of potassium, phosphorus and sodium contained in 70 grams of cabbage is low:

• Sodium: 13 mg
• Potassium: 119 mg
• Phosphorus: 18 mg

skinless chicken

While a limited protein intake is necessary for some people with kidney problems, providing the body with an adequate amount of high-quality protein is also vital for health. Skinless chicken breast contains less phosphorus, potassium and sodium than chicken skin.

When buying chicken, be careful to choose fresh ones. Skinless chicken breast (84 grams) contains:

• Sodium: 63 mg
• Potassium: 216 mg
• Phosphorus: 192 mg

Onion

OnionIt is high in vitamin C, manganese and B vitamins and contains prebiotic fibers that help keep the digestive system healthy by feeding beneficial gut bacteria. One small onion (70 grams) contains:

• Sodium: 3 mg
• Potassium: 102 mg
• Phosphorus: 20 mg

Rocket

Many healthy greens, such as spinach and kale, are high in potassium. However, arugula is low in potassium, nutrient-dense. You can use arugula, which is one of the foods useful for pastries, in salads.

Arugula, which is important for bone health, Vitamin KIt is a good source of manganese and calcium. 20 grams of raw arugula contains:

• Sodium: 6 mg
• Potassium: 74 mg
• Phosphorus: 10 mg

Radish

Radish is one of the foods beneficial for kidneys. This is because it is very low in potassium and phosphorus, but also high in other important nutrients.

Radishes are an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin C, which reduces the risk of heart disease and cataracts. 58 grams of sliced ​​radishes contain:

• Sodium: 23 mg
• Potassium: 135 mg
• Phosphorus: 12 mg

Turnip

Turnip is a kidney-friendly food and can be consumed instead of vegetables with high potassium levels such as potatoes. This root vegetable has fiber and nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese and calcium. 78 grams of cooked turnip contains:

• Sodium: 12.5 mg
• Potassium: 138 mg
• Phosphorus: 20 mg

Pineapple

Many tropical fruits are high in potassium, such as oranges, bananas, and kiwi. Pineapple However, it is a sweet, low-potassium alternative for those with kidney problems.

Also, pineapple is rich in fiber. It contains B vitamins, manganese, an enzyme called bromelain that helps reduce inflammation. 165 grams of pineapple contains:

• Sodium: 2 mg
• Potassium: 180 mg
• Phosphorus: 13 mg

Cranberry

CranberryIt is beneficial for both urinary tract and kidney. These little fruits contain phytonutrients called A-type proanthocyanidins, which prevent infection by preventing bacteria from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract and bladder. It is very low in potassium, phosphorus and sodium. 100 grams of fresh cranberry juice contains:

• Sodium: 2 mg
• Potassium: 85 mg
• Phosphorus: 13 mg

Shitaki mushroom

Shitaki mushroomIt is an excellent source of B vitamins, copper, manganese and selenium. In addition, it provides a good amount of plant-based protein and dietary fiber. 145 grams of cooked shiitake mushrooms contains:

• Sodium: 6 mg
• Potassium: 170 mg
• Phosphorus: 42 mg

Foods Harmful to Kidneys

While kidney patients consume foods that are beneficial to the kidneys, they should also stay away from foods that are harmful to the kidneys. Avoiding or limiting certain foods helps reduce the buildup of waste products in the blood, improve kidney function and prevent further damage. Here are the foods that are harmful to the kidneys…

Carbonated drinks, especially dark colored ones

• In addition to the calories and sugar that these types of beverages provide, dark cola is particularly phosphorus It contains.
• Many food manufacturers add phosphorus during processing of food and beverage products to enhance flavor, extend shelf life, and prevent discoloration.
• This added phosphorus is absorbed by the human body more than natural, animal or plant-based phosphorus.
• Unlike natural phosphorus, phosphorus in the form of additives is not bound to protein. Rather, it exists in salt form and is highly absorbable by the intestinal tract.
• While the phosphorus content of the additive varies depending on the type of carbonated beverage, it is thought that 200 ml of most dark colas contain 50-100 mg.
• As a result, especially dark colored cola should be avoided for kidney health.

Avokado

• AvokadoIt has many nutritional properties, such as heart-healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants. But those with kidney disease should avoid this fruit. 
• The reason is that avocado is a very rich source of potassium. One cup (150 grams) of avocado provides 727 mg of potassium.
• That's double the amount of potassium that a medium banana provides. For this reason, you should stay away from avocados, especially if you've been told to watch your potassium intake.

Canned foods

• Most canned goods contain high amounts of sodium, as salt is added as a preservative to extend their shelf life.
• Due to the amount of sodium found in these products, people with kidney disease are generally advised to stop consuming them.

Brown bread

• Choosing the right bread can be confusing for those with kidney disease. Generally, whole wheat bread is recommended for healthy individuals.
• Whole wheat bread is more nutritious due to its high fiber content. However, white bread is generally recommended instead of whole wheat for individuals with kidney disease.
• This is due to its phosphorus and potassium content. Because whole wheat bread contains more bran, its phosphorus and potassium content is higher.
• For example, 30 grams of whole wheat bread contains about 28 mg of phosphorus and 57 mg of potassium compared to white bread, which contains 69 mg of both phosphorus and potassium.

Brown rice

• Like whole wheat bread, brown rice also has a higher potassium and phosphorus content than white rice.
• One cup of cooked brown rice contains 150 mg of phosphorus and 154 mg of potassium, while one cup of cooked white rice contains 69 mg of phosphorus and 54 mg of potassium.
• Bulgur, wheat, barley and couscous are nutritious, low-phosphorus grains that can be a good alternative to brown rice.

Banana

• Bananais known for its high potassium content. While naturally low in sodium, one medium banana provides 422 mg of potassium.

Milk

• Dairy products are rich in various vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. It is also a natural source of phosphorus and potassium and a good source of protein.
• For example, 1 cup of whole milk has 222 mg of phosphorus and 349 mg of potassium. 
• Consuming too much milk along with other phosphorus-rich foods can harm bone health in those with kidney disease.
• This may come as a surprise, as milk and dairy products are often recommended for strong bones and muscle health. But when the kidneys are damaged, too much phosphorus consumption can cause phosphorus to build up in the blood. This makes bones weak over time and increases the risk of bone fractures.
• Dairy products are also high in protein. A glass of whole milk has about 8 grams of protein content. It is important to limit milk intake to avoid the buildup of protein waste in the blood.

Orange and orange juice

• Orange and although orange juice is known for its high vitamin C content, they are also rich sources of potassium.
• One large orange (184 grams) provides 333 mg of potassium. Also, there is 473 mg of potassium in a glass of orange juice.

Processed meats

• Processed meats have long been known to cause chronic diseases. It is generally considered unhealthy due to a lack of preservatives and nutrients.
• Processed meats are salted, dried or canned meats. Sausage, soudjouk, salami, bacon are examples.
• Processed meats typically contain large amounts of salt to enhance flavor and preserve flavor. In addition, it is also high in protein.

Pickles, olives and condiments

• Processed olives and pickles are examples of cured or pickled foods. A large amount of salt is usually added during the curing or pickling process.
• For example, a pickle may contain more than 300 mg of sodium. Likewise, 2 tablespoons of sweet pickles contain 244 mg of sodium.
• Five green pickled olives provide about 195 mg of sodium, a significant portion of the daily amount.

Apricot

• Apricot It is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A and fiber. It is also high in potassium. One glass of fresh apricots provides 427 mg of potassium.
• Also, the potassium content is even higher in dried apricots. A glass of dried apricots contains 1.500 mg of potassium.
• For the kidneys, it is best to avoid apricots, and most importantly, dried apricots.

Potatoes and sweet potatoes

• Potato ve sweet potatoare vegetables rich in potassium. Just one medium baked potato (156 g) contains 610 mg of potassium, while an average sized baked sweet potato (114 g) provides 541 mg of potassium.
• Cutting the potato into small, thin pieces and boiling it for at least 10 minutes can reduce the potassium content by about 50%.
• Potatoes that have been soaked for at least four hours before cooking have been proven to have a lower potassium content than those that were not soaked before cooking.
• In this way, too, significant amounts of potassium may still be present, so portioning is important to keep potassium levels under control.

Tomato

• Tomatois a food that is not considered in the category of foods beneficial for the kidneys. A glass of tomato sauce can contain 900 mg of potassium.
• Unfortunately, tomatoes are widely used in many dishes. You can choose an alternative with a low potassium content.

Packaged ready meals

• Processed foods are high in sodium. Of these foods, packaged, convenience foods are often the most heavily processed and therefore contain a lot of sodium.
• Examples include frozen pizza, microwaveable dishes and instant pasta.
• If you regularly consume highly processed foods, keeping sodium intake around 2,000mg per day is difficult.
• Highly processed foods not only contain large amounts of sodium, but are also devoid of nutrients.

Greens like chard, spinach

• Chard, spinach such greens are green leafy vegetables that contain high amounts of various nutrients and minerals, including potassium.
• When served raw, the amount of potassium ranges from 140-290 mg per cup.
• Although the amount of leafy vegetables decreases when cooked, their potassium content remains the same. For example, half a cup of raw spinach shrinks to about 1 tablespoon when cooked.
• Thus, eating half a cup of cooked spinach will contain much more potassium than half a cup of raw spinach.

Dates, raisins and prunes

• When fruits are dried, all their nutrients are concentrated, including potassium.
• For example, one cup of plums provides 1.274 mg of potassium, which is about five times the amount of potassium found in a cup of a raw equivalent plum.
• Just four dates provide 668 mg of potassium.
• Given the remarkable amount of potassium found in these dried fruits, these foods for kidneys should be avoided.

Chips and crackers

• Snacks such as pretzels and chips are deficient in nutrients and contain relatively high salt.
• Also, these foods are easy to consume at more than the recommended serving size, often leading to higher salt intake than intended.
• What's more, if these convenience foods are made from potatoes, they will also contain a significant amount of potassium.

Habits That Damage the Kidneys

Since nutrition has an effect on the kidneys, we should be careful about what we eat. Above, we talked about foods that are beneficial for the kidneys and foods that are harmful to the kidneys. Now let's talk about our habits that harm the kidneys. Let's see what are we doing wrong for kidney health?

Not drinking enough water

It is very important to drink enough water during the day for kidney health. The kidneys help maintain the body's fluid balance. It does this by flushing out unwanted toxins and sodium when drinking enough water.

Drinking enough water helps reduce the likelihood of kidney stones and possible kidney failure.

Excessive meat consumption

Animal protein produces high amounts of acid, which is very harmful for the kidneys to function. It causes a condition called acidosis (the inability of the kidneys to eliminate excess acids efficiently), excessive intake of which causes serious problems. Animal protein consumption should always be balanced with greens and fresh fruit intake.

Cigarette

In general, smoking directly damages the lungs and heart. However, it also has an impact on the health of the kidneys. Smoking leaves a lot of protein in the urine, which is crucial for kidney health.

Alcohol

More than three to four alcoholic beverages a day increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. In addition, the combined consumption of tobacco and alcohol increases the risk fivefold.

Processed foods

All kinds of processed foods that are high in minerals such as phosphorus and sodium are directly harmful to the kidneys. Because it will affect the kidneys' ability to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.

Insomnia

A good 6 to 8 hours of sleep is necessary for the body to prepare for a new day. During the sleep cycle, the body does a lot of work – the most important of all is the regeneration of organ tissues. Deprivation of this vital activity of the body will lead to degeneration of the kidneys, high blood pressure and deterioration of general health.

Excessive salt consumption

Salt contains sodium, and high sodium intake can directly cause an increase in blood pressure levels. Blood filtration then becomes dysfunctional and gradually impairs the kidneys as well.

Sugar consumption

Harms of sugarwe all know. Today, excessive consumption of sugar also damages the kidneys. It leads to an increase in blood pressure and very pronounced diabetes, which directly affects the functionality of the kidneys.

Not exercising

Exercise has positive effects on the human body. It is also beneficial for the kidneys. It affects metabolism, and by increasing vitality, it helps to remove toxins and regulate the fluid balance in the system.

delaying the urge to urinate

Sometimes we delay urination because of the intensity. This is one of the scariest things to do as it increases the pressure of urine in the kidneys and leads to kidney failure.

In the context of nutrition in kidney patients, we explained the foods that are beneficial for the kidneys, the foods that are harmful to the kidneys, and the habits that harm the kidneys. If you have anything you want to say about kidney health, you can write a comment.

References: 1, 2, 3