The kidneys refer to the two small bean-shaped organs found on either side of the spine, just below the ribs. While they could be relatively small in size, these two small organs are one of the most powerful and important organs of the human body as they help keep the body functioning properly by helping to get rid of excess waste, balance electrolyte levels in the body and also create hormones.
The crucial roles played by the kidneys in the body can only be appreciated when one or both of the two organs are affected by one issue or the other, with this capable of leading to the buildup of wastes in the body, which could, in turn, lead to more health complications or even death. This then makes it quite important to ensure that the kidneys are often kept in the best possible optimal condition.
One of the proven ways to achieve this is by the increased intake of certain foods that are known to help cleanse the kidneys and keep them in optimal conditions. According to Eleesha Lockett of Healthline, most often in the absence of disease, adequate intake of water and balanced meals can help keep the kidneys strong and healthy. However, regardless of that, the foods we would be considering can help support healthy kidneys.
With that in mind, examined below are a few of the foods you can use as a kidney cleanse which would help keep your kidneys strong and healthy:
1. Grapes
Grapes, alongside peanuts and some berries, belong to a select few groups of desirable foods known to possess a beneficial plant compound known as resveratrol, which is known to possess many crucial health benefits. One such health benefit is the ability to cleanse the kidney and reduce inflammation, especially in those with polycystic kidney disease. Thus, a high intake of grapes would help keep your kidneys functioning at their optimal level of performance.
2. Cranberries
Cranberries are one of the most healthy berries on the planet and they are particularly often touted for the great effects they have on the bladder and the whole urinary system by extension. According to Healthline, the result of a clinical trial published in Nutrition Journal revealed that certain women who eat dried, sweetened cranberries daily for two weeks had a decreased incidence of urinary tract infections. You can add them to your salads or even oatmeal.
3. Fruit juices
It is often recommended that many people increase their intake of unsweetened and unflavoured fruit juices such as lemon, orange and melon juices. This is because the trio all contain citric acid or citrate, an important nutrient that helps cleanse and keep the kidneys healthy by preventing the formation of kidney stones by binding with calcium in the urine. This, in turn, inhibits the growth of calcium crystals that can lead to kidney stones.
4. Seaweed
Seaweed is a bit uncommon here in Nigeria but for those who have access to it, they represent a great dietary option for keeping the kidneys strong and healthy. Apart from being so rich in many of the known desirable essential nutrients, seaweed is also known to have impressive effects on both the liver and kidney as it can help prevent both kidney and liver damage from diabetes.
5. Calcium-rich foods
According to Eleesha Lockett of Healthline, many people often think that by avoiding calcium, they are avoiding kidney stones. However, this could not be farther than the truth as calcium is needed to bind with oxalate, which could otherwise lead to kidney stones when there’s a buildup of urinary oxalate in the body. Calcium-rich foods to eat include soy, almond milk and fortified cereals.
6. Omega-3 rich foods
Some studies have shown that high levels of omega-6 fatty acids can lead to kidney stones. However, this negative effect of omega-6 fatty acids can be countered by the increased intake of omega-3s which can naturally help decrease the metabolism of omega-6s. Great sources of omega-3 fatty acids you can explore for optimal kidney conditions include walnuts and fish such as tuna, salmon, herring, sardines, and mackerel.
7. Water
The adult human body is made up of almost 60% water with every organ including the brain and liver all requiring water to function as they should. The kidneys, which are the filtration system of the body, are not left out as they need water to secrete urine, which is the form through which wastes are removed from the body. Thus, an adequate intake of water (roughly 3.7 litres and 2.7 litres a day for men and women respectively) can help flush out excess wastes from your body.
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