Your kidneys, though small, are an incredibly important
part of your body. Every day, they perform many vital
tasks such as cleansing the blood of impurities, forming
urine to remove toxins from the body, balancing the body
fluids and many other
functions. That is why
keeping the kidneys healthy is so important. The very
best thing you can do for your kidneys is to stay hydrated and aim to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.
Diet also can make a
difference. Below is a list of the top foods and herbs to keep your kidneys in
optimum shape.
1. Watermelon
Watermelon being – as its name implies – mostly water, and also has diuretic
properties. Diuretics cause you to urinate more and this is healthy for the kidneys and your entire urinary tract
as it keeps it flushed out and therefore less likely to harbor bacterial growth that
can lead to bladder or kidney infections.
2. Lemon Juice
Regular consumption of lemon juice in water is great for the kidneys, not only help
to purify and cleanse them but to prevent kidney stones.
The formation of this painful stones is one of the most difficult kidney problems to
deal with, but the addition of lemon water to the diet
makes the urine more acidic and thus dissolves the
minerals before they can form a stone. It is a great DIY treatment for this problem!
3. Apples
Apples are great for the kidneys – and the body in general – because they have
high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory
compounds which can
improve kidney function, reduce inflammation in and
around the kidneys and protect the kidneys from oxidative damage.
4. Turmeric
Since turmeric is great for so many ailments, it’s hardly surprising that it can benefits the kidneys as well.
Its antiseptic properties help prevent kidney, bladder or other urinary tract
infections, while its anti-inflammatory compounds prevent swelling and edema
around these delicate
organs. Its antimicrobial
compounds also help
prevent infections of the urinary tract.
5. Dandelion
Whether you’re talking about the fresh leaves in a salad or a tea made from dandelion root, this is one of the best plants you can use for kidney cleansing. They are a
natural diuretic, so they help keep the kidneys flushed out
and cleansed, and also have the ability to soothe irritation of the lining of the
urinary tract.
Adding these foods to your diet on a regular basis can help keep your kidneys
cleansed and prevent
problems such as kidney damage or the formation of stones that can be difficult
and painful to pass. And because the kidneys perform so many important tasks,
you will find that keeping them healthy adds to your body’s general health and
wellbeing. [hupso]
