We need food to survive. What we eat on a daily basis has a central impact on our health. A healthy diet keep the body in a good condition and all organs function properly. Actually, food can maintain, prevent as well as cure diseases that depends on which foods we chose to add into daily diet. Each food has specific nutritional value but there are some foods can bring about super benefits considered superfoods.
Like other organs, kidneys, a part of urinary system and endocrine system, need right types and right amount of nutrients in order to work smooth as a natural blood filter. And here are a list of superfoods that can helps you maintain a healthy kidney easily.
1. Blueberries
The beautiful color of the fruit is given by high amount of antioxidant phytonutrients. And they are loaded with many other natural compounds that is essential for a healthy kidney including sodium, phosphorus, vitamin C, fiber and folate and a lot of anti-oxidants. Thanks to those minerals, the blood is kept clear from toxic and fatty acids are prevented from unwanted oxidation. As a result, blue berries help to reduce inflammation effectively and boost bladder functioning. If it’s not blueberries season now, you can opt for frozen or dried ones for the similar effects.
2. Cabbage
A cup of serving green cabbage can provide the body 12mg sodium, 120mg potassium and 18mg phosphorus. Phytochemicals found in cabbage help to break up free radicals before they can cause any damage to the body. Adding cabbage into your daily meals makes kidneys more healthier. Moreover, cabbage also help foster many heart diseases and fight against cancer.
3. Cauliflower
Another affordable addition for a healthy kidney diet is cauliflower. Cauliflower is rich in vitamin C and pạced with a great amount of folate and fiber. It also contained full of indoles, glucosinolates and thiocyanates that help the liver cancel out toxic substances that could protect cell membranes and DNA from damage. Hence, kidneys do not overwork to filter the blood. You should boil or poach cauliflower for meals because it is the healthiest taken boiled or poached.
4. Garlic
Garlic contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that can decrease the possiblility of kidney disease as well as cardiovascular disease. Just one to two raw cloves of garlic daily before meal can effectively lower cholesterol levels the blood and inflammation in kidneys. Although raw garlic is the best to keep kidneys healthy, you can consume bottled, minced or powdered garlic loaded in your dishes.
5. Olive oil
Olive oil is packed with a high level of oleic acid and anti-inflammatory fatty acid in olive oil help greatly protect from oxidation as well as improve some kidney health issues such as kidney infection symptoms. The oil is high in antioxidant and polyphenols compounds that can fight against kidney inflammation . Olive oil can also be used as a natural home remedy for many health problems, for instance, a great method to cure kidney stones effectively. Olive oil help lubricate the stones in kidneys so that they can go away easily. Undoubtedly, if you want to maintain a healthy kidney, don not miss olive oil.
6. Fish
Fish is widely known to contain high amount of omega-3 fatty acids that prevent and reduce inflammation and thus, protect the kidneys from various health problems. According to a study published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases in 2008, consumption of fish help to lower abnormal protein levels in urine in diabetic people. Salmon or sardines is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids for kidneys; others are rainbow trout, mackerel, herring and tuna. The American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association recommend having two to three servings of fish each week. However, you must not eat fried fish, so chose steamed, baked or roasted fish to have a healthy kidney.
7. Apple
An apple a day keep the doctor away. Many people consider apples as a panacea for our whole health. It is also good for kidneys as antioxidants and vitamins packed in apple can keep the urine clearer. Apples help etoxify and cleanse the kidneys thanks to their fiber and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, the fruit helps prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) effectively and hence may help decrease the risk of kidney stones.
8. Egg whites
Egg whites are loaded with pure protein, the highest quality of protein with all the essential amino acids. Compared with other protein sources such as egg yolk or meats, egg whites provide protein with less phosphorus. After the process of digestion, protein in egg whites create less waste products that can keep the blood clearer for kidneys to filter and exert them out of the body.
9. Red bell peppers
Red bell peppers are perfect agents for kidney health. Not only is it low in potassium, and high in Vitamin A, C, as well as B6 but red bell pepper is also an excellent supply of folic acid and fiber which is vital nutrients to help the kidney do its functions well. Red bell peppers help to destroy toxic waste in the blood and then make kidneys healthier. Keep your potassium intake low during the period of suffering from kidney problems since damaged kidneys cannot be able to exert potassium well from your blood.