The major functions of kidneys include eliminating waste products, filtration process, releasing hormones to regulate blood pressure, balancing body fluids and electrolytes. Let’s know about top 5 picks for overall kidney health.

Each organ has its specific function in the body. When these kidneys fail to perform their function, wastes build up in the body and fluid retention occurs. Notably, damage to the kidneys may lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Here are kidney friendly foods that helps to repair kidneys and prevent damage to the organs. Therefore, its vital to explore kidney diet foods that are top listed to provide nutritional punch for kidney health.

5 Kidney Friendly Superfoods:

Eating right for kidney health to restore your kidney functions is important to prevent overload on kidneys. People with kidney problems ensure to eat foods with less phosphorus and potassium content. Consume right amounts of proteins as more protein intake make your kidneys work harder and consult a qualified dietician for customized kidney diet.

1. Apples:

Apples contain soluble fiber called pectin, which is known to reduce risk factors that cause kidney damage. It lowers cholesterol and blood sugar levels that impacts kidney health. It is also a significant source of antioxidant – quercetin and has anti-inflammatory properties which improves kidney functions.

195 mg potassium & 20 mg phosphorus

1. Nettle Tea:

Nettle leaf contains powerful polyphenols, phenolic compounds and vitamins A, C, D, E, K, thiamine (B1), and riboflavin (B2). It is loaded with minerals such as magnesium, calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Nettle tea made from its leaves can help in removing metabolic wastes and endorse renal secretion due to its diuretic properties.

According to Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2015, the Nettle leaf herb is found to be protective in nephrotoxicity by reducing blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, an effective diuretic and phenolic compound. Thus, consuming nettle leaf tea helps maintain a healthy functional kidney.

Nettle Leaf Herbal Tea is widely beneficial for conditions like urinary tract problems, kidney problems can be used as a diuretic. Nettle tea made from nettle leaf also helps to flush out toxins. BestSource Nutrition Nettle leaves acts as a powerhouse due to their anti-inflammatory properties - beneficial for kidney health (lowers serum creatinine, helps in urine output).

1. Cauliflower:

Cauliflower is a versatile nutritious vegetables packed with wide range of nutrients – vitamin B, C, K and folate with anti-inflammatory properties. It also has low sodium, potassium and phosphorus content beneficial for dietary restrictions for kidney patients.

19 mg Sodium, 176 mg Potassium, 40 mg Phosphorus

1. Onions & Garlic:

Onions and garlic are excellent alternatives for renal patients to limit salt consumption, thus to reduce sodium content in kidney diet. These ingredients add flavor to the dishes, reduces salt intake without compromising kidney health with nutritional benefits and are good source of vitamin B, C, manganese and prebiotics.

1. Egg Whites:

Eggs are simple protein source for people following kidney diet. But egg yolks contain high amount of phosphorous making it complicated for kidney health. Therefore, egg whites are excellent choice that provide high quality, kidney friendly protein source

110 mg Sodium, 108 mg Potassium, 10 mg phosphorus

The kidneys paly an important role in excreting waste products from the body through urine. Therefore, fluid intake also matters a lot in flushing the toxins and maintaining electrolyte balance. Drink 2-3 liters of water daily to ensure proper kidney functioning and to prevent UTI. Including Nettle tea increases your fluid requirement with health benefits.