The Watermelon Kidney Cleanse: Safe, Simple, Effective

Fortunately, more and more Americans are finally realizing their need to prevent disease and cancer through correct diet and avoidance of dangerous chemicals in cleaning and beauty products. However, there's as much harmful advice on how to use alternative medicine as there is beneficial. It's often rightfully implied that preventive care involves actions such as doing a periodic liver or kidney cleanse. Although the advice isn't bad, often the suggestions for how to carry out such cleanses encourage taking drastic measures that have harmed some people.

There is a very safe, simple, effective, and economical kidney cleanse that can be performed in the comfort of one's home. It is the watermelon cleanse that few have heard about. Herbalists and those who are self-trained in the use of alternative medicine speak of the safety and simplicity of this cleanse for the kidneys. Can anyone do it? What does it involve? Obviously, people who are on dialysis or who are restricted by their doctor from drinking water/liquids should not do this cleanse. People who are underweight should also refrain from doing the watermelon kidney cleanse.

The instructions are extremely easy to follow. There are no side effects if one is at least in relatively fair health. People should not expect this cleanse to rid them of kidney stones which requires a much more aggressive method. Preparation should be made to remain at home during the entire cleanse for obvious reasons. There are only two things needed: a large watermelon and a gallon of water. The water does not have to be distilled unless the municipal water is of extremely poor quality. Bottled water, unless distilled, should be avoided.

Throughout a twenty-four hour period, no food except the watermelon should be consumed and no liquid, except the water, should be drank. In the article "Foods That Are Natural Diuretics" by Cicely A. Richard, registered dietitian Dr. Lauren Braun states that, "the natural juice in watermelon is the primary reason it acts as a diuretic." Consuming an entire watermelon and drinking an entire gallon of water within a period of twenty-four hours cleanses the kidney by literally flushing them.

The advantage in including the watermelon instead of just flushing with plain water is the ingestion of the nutrients that will be received during the cleanse. NutritionData.com is a very useful site for discovering the nutritional value of a wide variety of foods and dishes. Just one cup of watermelon, according to this respected web site, contains significant amounts of Vitamins A and C, and Potassium. It also provides small amounts of the mineral Iron.

Cicely A. Richard
Foods That Are Natural Diuretics
Ehow.com