Your kidneys are among your body’s hardest-working organs. Well, it only filters 50 gallons of blood every single day to remove waste and toxins. However, we often overlook the importance of kidney health until problems arise. Remember, prevention is better than cure, so it’s about time to take care of your kidneys starting today. With this, we listed the 9 foods that are harming your precious kidneys.
9. Canned Foods
Arguably, canned foods are one of the wisest grocery items to shop for. Why not? They have a long expiry date, and you can just grab them from your pantry if you want to whip up a quick dinner. However, here’s something to consider: Many cans are lined with the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) that mixes into your food. BPA is linked to an increased risk of kidney and even heart disease, especially in children.
8. Protein Powders
That post-workout protein shake might be doing more harm than good. Well, yes, protein is essential for muscle repair, but its concentrated dose can harm your kidneys. Your kidneys get to work overtime to filter the waste products of protein metabolism, and if someone has a mild kidney impairment, then it may cause even more damage. Before you scoop, it’s important to consider whether you’re overdoing it or, better yet, get your protein from whole food sources.
7. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
It’s not really surprising that MSG made the list since it’s known as harmful junk in our bodies. Focusing on the kidney, they were found to elevate the waste products such as urea, creatinine, and uric acid in the blood. You can find MSG in many processed foods, from chips to frozen dinners. Make sure to read the labels of your groceries for the “monosodium glutamate” additive.
6. Dark Colas
We all know that dark colas are harmful enough, but they are also found to be a major contributor to kidney stones. It’s all about the phosphoric acid that gives this drink its tangy flavor. Include artificial fruit punch and sweet tea as a major contributor to the formation of kidney stones. Phosphoric acid works by acidifying your urine and throwing your mineral balance out. Try to switch to sparkling water instead if you’re looking for that fizz of sodas.
5. High-Sodium Foods
The connection between kidney damage and too much salt is often overlooked. With that, consuming high-sodium foods will make your kidneys work harder to remove excess sodium and retain the needed water. This pressure leads to long-term damage to your kidneys. But the problem is that our sodium intake always comes from processed and packaged foods that are considered silent killers. Always opt for a balanced home-cooked meal.
4. Energy Drinks
Watch out for your energy drink intake, as they could fast-track your way to kidney problems. The root of the problem comes from the high levels of caffeine that act as a diuretic, leading to dehydration. But it’s not just caffeine, as sugar and other stimulants contribute to high blood pressure, that are a risk factor for chronic kidney disease.
3. Artificial Sweeteners
If you think reaching for a diet soda is the “healthier” choice, then you’re wrong. Artificial sweeteners are a high risk for developing kidney diseases and worsen the conditions for which these products are marketed. The reason? These sweeteners are believed to alter your gut bacteria and negatively impact your kidneys’ ability to filter. Over time, this leads to a full decline of kidney function. Remember, sugar-free doesn’t equate to healthy.
2. Red Meat
That juicy steak hides a bad cost to your kidneys. The problem lies with red meat, which produces a flood of uremic toxins like TMAO and indoxyl sulfate. They’re originally filtered out by your kidneys, but a constant barrage may overwhelm your system, which would lead to inflammation and damage. It doesn’t mean you need to switch to a vegetarian diet, but you can swap red meat with plant-based proteins to give your kidneys a break.
1. Ultra-Processed Foods
Ultra-processed foods are everywhere, and they have been a staple of the modern diet. Yup, they’re those industrial formulations like cereal, packaged bread, and packaged foods. However, they’re also the biggest threat to your kidney health. They’re considered a triple threat as they’re loaded with phosphorus additives, sodium, and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), all damaging to the kidney. The impactful change you can make is to look for a healthier switch and reduce consumption.