The kidneys are the body’s natural filter, removing waste products from the blood and helping to regulate electrolyte levels. They also play an important role in maintaining good bone health and regulating blood pressure.
Kidney problems can occur when the kidneys fail to remove enough fluid from the body or if they fail to produce urine. There are many reasons why kidneys fail to rid the body of excess fluid. Some of these include injuries, infections and genetic diseases.
It is important that you know which foods to avoid if you have a history of kidney problems or want to protect your kidneys from further damage. Here are some of the worst foods for your kidneys:
- Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the worst offenders when it comes to causing damage to your kidneys. Consuming alcohol in large amounts can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI), which is characterized by swelling, pain and nausea.
- Processed Foods
Most processed foods contain high amounts of sodium, which can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure and kidney disease over time. High sodium intake has also been linked with an increased risk for heart disease and stroke, so it’s best not to consume processed foods as much as possible
- Soda and other drinks
Sugary drinks such as soda, energy drinks and juice sweetened with sugar or high fructose corn syrup. These drinks increase uric acid levels in the body — a condition called hyperuricemia — which can lead to gout attacks in people who already have this condition or cause it in people who don’t yet have gout but are at risk for developing it because they have a family history of it. Gout is a painful form of arthritis caused by too much uric acid in the blood stream
