5 everyday foods that are silently harming your kidneys; eliminate them from your diet before it's too late.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Kidneys are considered one of the most vital organs in our body. Maintaining a healthy kidney is crucial for overall well-being, but many people are currently suffering from kidney-related problems. This is primarily due to a deteriorating lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits. 

These days, both people's lifestyles and eating habits have changed significantly. This has adverse effects on their health, and this is why it can also harm their kidneys. As we know, the kidneys are vital organs, and therefore, maintaining their health is considered extremely important. In this article, we will tell you about some foods that you regularly eat, but may not know that they can be dangerous for your kidneys. Let's learn about some such foods:

Too much salt

Salt helps enhance the flavor of our food. However, excessive amounts can also cause serious health problems. In fact, high sodium intake is a major cause of high blood pressure, which over time puts serious strain on the kidneys. According to the World Health Organization, up to 5 grams of salt daily is not harmful.

Apart from this, you can use herbs and spices like cumin, coriander, ginger, lemon, black pepper, garlic and rock salt instead of salt.

Processed or packaged foods

A study published in 2022 found that people who ate a lot of processed foods had a 24% higher risk of kidney disease. These foods are highly processed and contain preservatives, artificial sugars, refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, and sodium, which secretly harm your kidneys.

In such a situation, you can follow a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains instead of processed foods. Additionally, homemade snacks like roasted chickpeas, poha chivda, or baked makhana provide more nutrition than packaged foods.

not drinking enough water

Not just food, but drinking too much water can also harm your kidneys. Water is considered essential for a healthy life. Therefore, without adequate water, kidney damage is a risk factor, especially if you are working hard or in the heat. Water helps flush out waste products from the kidneys and also helps alleviate many other kidney-related problems. 

So when it comes to water, there's no substitute for it. To keep your kidneys healthy and active, make sure you drink enough water every day .

eating too much meat

Meat is considered an excellent source of protein, which helps build muscle, fight infections, and stay healthy. However, eating it in large quantities over a long period of time can be harmful to your kidneys. One study suggests that eating too much red meat may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease, end-stage kidney disease, and renal cell carcinoma. 

In such a situation, to get adequate protein without putting too much strain on the kidneys, you can include moong dal, kidney beans, gram, cheese, tofu or curd in your daily diet.

Deep fried snacks

While fried snacks may taste delicious, eating them over a long period of time can cause kidney problems. Reheating oil and trans fats can lead to inflammation, obesity, and blood pressure problems. These problems are all linked to kidney disease. 

Experts recommend opting for steamed or grilled snacks like dhokla, idli, or baked cutlets instead of fried foods. To reduce health risks, it's recommended to use an air fryer or fry popular snacks in less oil.

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