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8 Habits That Significantly Damage Your Kidneys

8 Habits That Significantly Damage Your Kidneys

The kidneys are two small organs with many functions. They play an important role in the elimination of excess waste, the balance of electrolytes and the creation of hormones. Often, people do not take enough care, leading an unhealthy lifestyle that can lead to kidney problems. Here are several harmful habits that you must stop to improve their health.

1. Lack of water
The main function of the kidneys is to eliminate waste and toxins from our body. When one does not drink the amount of water needed each day, the kidneys dehydrate and the renal blood flow decreases and leads to the creation of toxic deposits in the body. Thus, stones can form in the kidneys afterwards.

2. Hold your urine for a long time
When you retain large amounts of urine for a long time, this can cause many health complications, including slowing down waste disposal and accumulating waste in the kidneys.

3. Excessive salt consumption
Salt contains a lot of sodium and when you abuse salt and salty foods, the kidneys may have trouble getting rid of it, which puts extra pressure on the body.

4. Consume too much caffeine
Although coffee has many health benefits, excessive consumption of this beverage and other beverages containing caffeine may pose some risk to the kidneys. According to The National Kidney Foundation, it is best to limit consumption to less than 3 cups a day.

5. Take too much painkillers
Whether for headaches or other minor health problems that cause pain, analgesic consumption should not be excessive and regular. In the long term, this can impair the function of the kidneys, promoting the development of chronic kidney disease. It is advisable to use natural remedies that do not have any adverse effects on your kidneys.

6. Consume too much protein
Excessive consumption of protein-rich foods, particularly red meat, could damage the kidneys because they are sensitive organs. According to an article published by The Annual Review of Nutrition, it is essential to consume proteins in moderation and to favor vegetable proteins in order to avoid any risk to health.

7. Consume too much sugar
According to a study published by the scientific journal Epidemiology, the consumption of two or more sugary drinks per day causes kidney and urinary system failure. The study also showed that drinks containing cola are particularly harmful because they increase the risk of chronic kidney disease.

8. Consume too much alcohol
When alcohol is consumed very often and in large quantities, it can cause serious kidney damage. According to an article published by Alcohol Health and Research World, its consumption would cause a disruption of hormonal control mechanisms responsible for renal function.

However, adopting certain habits and eating certain foods can help you have healthy kidneys. Here are some tips to clean your kidneys and keep them functioning properly.

Good hydration
The adult human body is composed of almost 60% water. Every organ, from brain to liver, needs water to function.

As a system of filtration of the body, the kidneys need water to secrete urine, knowing that this is the main way used by the body to get rid of unwanted substances.

Thus, it is crucial to drink enough water so that the kidneys can evacuate excess waste. This is especially important when cleaning the kidneys.

Cranberry consumption
Cranberries have often been praised for their bladder health benefits.

According to a study published in the journal Nutrition Journal, women consuming daily cranberries sweetened and dried for two weeks have experienced a decrease in the incidence of urinary tract infections.

Consumption of natural fruit juices
Lemon, orange and melon juices all contain citric acid, or citrate. According to an article in the Korean Journal of Urology, this acid would help prevent the formation of kidney stones by binding to calcium in the urine, thereby inhibiting the growth of calcium crystals responsible for this health disorder.