HEALTHY kidneys play an important role in removing wastes generated from the food humans eat. They are responsible for eliminating urea, wastes from dietary protein, along with minerals like sodium, potassium and phosphorus.
While the burden of kidney diseases in Nigeria can’t be assessed accurately, experts say that more Nigerians die from kidney related diseases than malaria and HIV/AIDS put together. Hypertension and diabetes melitus are, however, some of the leading causes.
However, naturalists argue that it’s possible to avoid the risk of kidney diseases and safeguard health by consuming grapes. Various studies have established that grape seeds extract and a component found in grapes called resveratrol are effective in protecting the kidneys,especially for diabetics. They say that kidney’s health can be improved by adding a glass of grape juice or at least 15 grapes a day to diet, as per the recommendation of the National Kidney Foundation.
Other than this, Red grapes are also said to possess the capacity to boost man’s immunity.
A study published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism found that the compounds found in grape seed and skin can reverse kidney damage caused by a high fat diet. Obese people are more prone to kidney damage as it can lead to depletion of copper from the kidney, among other complications. The study suggests using grape seed and skin extracts as a preventive supplement for patients at a high risk of kidney disease due to obesity. Grapes is a great source of antioxidants, which protects the body against oxidative stress, which is the imbalance between production of free radicals and antioxidant defences.
Around 50 percent of patients are said to suffer from acute renal failure due to inadequate blood supply to the kidneys, or what is known as ischemia. Grapes have anti oxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms as the compound resveratol reduces the risk of damage caused by ischemia. Resveratol was found to have a protective effect in rats’ kidneys who were suffering from tissue damage caused by the return of blood supply to the kidneys, after a period of lack of oxygen supply or ischemia. This study was conducted by Italian doctors from the University of Milan in 2013.
Iranian researchers also found that 50 mg of grape seeds extracts a day for two weeks may reduce kidney function disturbances following tissue damage caused by ischemia. The study was conducted on 32 rats in 2013 and researchers hope that this finding will be able to reduce the harmful effects of renal disturbances in humans.
However, for patients with established kidney disease, experts recommend consumption of a low protein diet, limiting salt intake, reducing intake of phosphorus-rich foods and choosing foods low in potassium. Based on these recommendations, here are 5 super-foods that you must eat if you’re suffering from kidney disease.
5 foods to help you recover from kidney disease
1. Cauliflower: Cauliflower is a kidney-friendly vegetable that secretly helps the body control various other factors like diabetes and heart disease which contribute to kidney disease. Additionally, cauliflower is also low in potassium and offers other nutrients like vitamin c , folic acid and fibre, which are helpful for patients with kidney disease. It also has the ability to eliminate certain toxic substances from the system, lowering the load on your kidneys.
2. Carrots: Hyypertension is a leading contributor of kidney disease andkidney failure. People with chronic kidney disease are advised to eat foods that help in regulating their blood pressure. One such food that works wonders for reducing hypertension, according to experts, is carrot. It not only takes care of high BP but also helps control diabetes which can also cause kidney disease. However, raw carrots are high in potassium. So, if you’re including carrots in your diet, ensure your intake is monitored and is within the safe amount.
3. Apples: Apples are not just good for the kidneys but can also reduce the overall ill effects of kidney disease in the initial stages. According to a study conducted at the Institute of Child Health, University College London, food sources of pectin (like apples and oranges) significantly reduced kidney damage over a period of time.
4. Onions: Onion is healthy food for people who have a high creatinine level along with reduced kidney function. They contain a substance called prostaglandin that naturally reduces blood viscosity and helps to lower high BP, thereby reducing the progression of kidney disease.
5. Garlic: Garlic contains antioxidants that help in reducinginflammation . It is also thought to play a role in reducing renal reperfusion injury which is linked to increased mortality due to acute kidney failure. A study by Bagheri F, Gol A, Dabiri S and Javadi A demonstrated that garlic juice helps to prevent renal reperfusion-induced injuries in rats.