Good Foods for the Kidneys

The kidneys are an important organ. The kidneys filter our blood of toxins and dispose of waste. The kidneys also help to regulate the amount of minerals and substances we have in our blood.

If the kidneys fail to perform this function a person suffers from a condition called renal failure and it must be treated and addressed immediately. If our blood is not filtered of toxins, we will die.

Since our kidneys are so important to our health and life, it makes sense that we'd want to take care of them. There are lots of things we can do to ensure good kidney health and prevent complications.

The most important thing we can do to make sure our kidneys are healthy is to eat a balanced and nutritious diet, and consume foods that are good for the kidneys.

Below you'll find some good foods for the kidneys that will help you keep your kidneys in top shape.

Cranberries

Cranberries have a reputation of being good for treating urinary tract infections. However, there isn't really enough evidence to prove that it is an effective treatment. However cranberries are known to be good at preventing urinary tract infections. They are effective at preventing bacteria from sticking to the lining of the bladder, therefore preventing infection.

How does that make it a good food for the kidneys? The reason cranberries are a good food for the kidneys is because by preventing urinary tract infections it helps to avoid complications in the kidneys. If a person gets frequent urinary tract infections and the urinary tract infections are not treated properly they can lead to kidney infections and other kidney complications.

By consuming cranberry daily, either by taking a supplement or drinking 100% cranberry juice (not cocktail) urinary tract infections can potentially be avoided, therefore reducing the chances of having problems with the kidneys.

Other berries such as blueberries, black berries, and pomegranate may also be good foods for the kidneys.

Good foods for the kidneys are high in vitamin C

Vitamin C can help prevent kidney stones from forming. Quoting from an article titled "Kidney Disease and Therapeutic Nutrition" on DoctorYourself.com "The very common calcium phosphate stone can only exist in a urinary tract that is not acidic. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C's most common form) acidifies the urine, thereby dissolving phosphate stones and preventing their formation."

Good foods for the kidneys that are high in vitamin C include broccoli, citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes; kiwi, tomatoes, and other dark green vegetables.

The best way to ensure good kidney health is to eat a healthy and well balanced diet. Our bodies function best when they receive the proper nutrients from a variety of food sources. Eating whole foods rather than packaged and processed foods is the best way to stay healthy. However if you'd like to add some extra benefits for the kidneys you can incorporate more of these good foods for the kidneys into your daily diet.

Resources:

" Kidney Disease and Therapeutic Nutrition" http://www.doctoryourself.com/kidney2.html