The kidneys are the protectors of the human body, responsible for regulating fluids, electrolytes, and solutes in our blood to filter out water and waste. Every kidney has one million functioning units called “nephrons,” which include limbs, tubules, and other components as well as the glomeruli that generate ultrafiltrate.
Diabetes and hypertension are two common diseases that increase the chance of kidney disease (CKD). Kidney stones, chronic kidney disease (CKD), acute kidney damage ,or end-stage renal disease are all types of kidney disease. Limiting salt and saturated fat consumption is one of the most effective ways to lower risk and/or manage hypertension and diabetes, which may lower your chances of developing CKD.
To summarize, the kidneys are a powerful force to be reckoned with, however, they can also be vulnerable to harm if we don’t care for them. Here are three of the worst foods to eat while protecting your kidneys.
1 — Processed meats
Processed meats, such as bacon, hot dogs, sausage, burger patties, and deli meats are a double-edged sword for your kidneys: they’re almost certainly high in salt and animal-based protein. On a daily basis, exceeding 2300 mg of sodium intake is linked to a diet that may raise blood pressure and put extra strain on the kidneys. According to recent research, eating more animal protein than plant protein on a regular basis might accelerate kidney disease progression.
2 — Soups
Soups are sometimes thought of as a light lunch side or a remedy for a sore throat if you are experiencing the common cold or flu symptoms. Soups, unfortunately, are heavy in salt. Even if they’re homemade, soups will frequently include chicken, beef, or vegetable stocks that contain more than 800 mg of sodium per cup. There are low-sodium and reduced-sodium versions on the market, but most users find that they lack flavor. To add flavor to a soup base, you may try your hand at making a sodium-free herbs, vegetable scraps, and spices stock; however, it’s probably best to avoid soups.
3 — Frozen pizza
The standard components of the most popular non-dessert pie in America are: white bread crust, high-fat cheese, processed meat like pepperoni or sausage, and high-sodium tomato sauce. Turn over a frozen pizza box and you may be astonished to discover nutrition facts that are quadruple the recommended salt intake. Takeout or dine-in pizza isn’t much better, but if you can personalize the order (e.g., vegetarian, half the cheese), it might have nutritional benefits (i.e., meat-free, whole wheat crust).