The kidneys are extremely important organ of our urinary system that is responsible for purifying the blood and removing the wastes from our body through urine. These are also helpful in maintaining electrolytes balance and regulating blood pressure. Because of the role they play in the body, the kidneys should be taken care of. An overall healthy diet and lifestyle are two main ways for maintaining healthy kidneys. Therefore one should select the right food for proper functioning of kidneys.

There are lots of delicious foods and highly nutritious foods that add certain factors into this diet than can also help the overall health of the kidneys. These are several following guidelines that can help you to keep your kidney healthy:

Vegetables

A healthful renal diet includes heavy amounts of vegetables rich in antioxidants. Red bell peppers, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic and onions are excellent foods for the kidneys.

·                    Cauliflower contains folate, fiber and antioxidants. Antioxidants reduce the amount of inflammation in your body, which helps the kidneys function properly. The potassium in cauliflower is known to prevent kidney stones. 

·                    Red bell peppers are low in potassium, sodium, and phosphorus but full of flavor, making them ideal for healthy kidneys. Red bell peppers also contain key nutrients such as vitamins C, A, B6, and folic acid. Red peppers can be eaten raw in form of salad and can be used in sandwiches.

·                    Onions contain an antioxidant known as quercitin which helps to fight the free radicals that can damage kidney, and hence, helps to detoxify the kidney.

·                    Garlic helps to lower blood cholesterol levels. It helps to reduce inflammation in the kidneys. And therefore suggested if you are having any kidney disease

·     Celery and parsley are both diuretics and so will help to flush out the kidneys 

Fruits

Fruits, most berries, apples, cherries are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which the kidneys thrive on

·        Apples help to reduce cholesterol level in the blood, and hence good for the kidneys. It can be eaten raw, baked, or consumed in form of juice

·        Cranberries have a terrific cleansing property. They contain the antioxidant proanthocyanidin, which helps eliminate the toxins that may build up in the kidneys, and hence cranberry juice is very good for the kidneys.

·        Blueberries are low in phosphorus, sodium, and potassium and are an excellent source of manganese, Vitamin - C, fiber, and antioxidants, hence good for kidneys.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a good source of oleic acid, which is a natural and helps to reduce the inflammation of the kidneys. So whenever possible, one should include olive oil in the diet. Olive oil is also rich in antioxidants and can easily be combined with vegetables.

Egg Whites and Fish

·        Egg whites are an excellent source of protein for people trying to limit their overall protein intake. They have less phosphorus than other popular protein sources and provide amino acids.

·        Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, containing fatty acids which are known to reduce inflammation, which makes them good for kidney

Other Important Points to Remember:

Drink enough water

Drink enough water to keep the kidneys healthy. Because the primary function of the kidneys is to filter toxins through urine from your body to perform this function; they require a steady input of water. Several fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumber, zucchini and tomatoes can also be included in the diet which contains more than 90 percent water.

Minimizing protein intake

Eating excess protein stresses your kidneys, and can lead to impaired kidney function.
Replace most of the meat in your diet with more vegetables and whole grains so that your kidneys can focus on eliminating toxins from your blood.

Minimizing sodium intake

Excess sodium intake is one of the single greatest causes of high blood pressure (known as hypertension), which in turn is a major cause of kidney problems. While there are often genetic and other factors, aim to control your blood pressure by reducing the consumption of table salt and using herbs and spices instead of salt for flavor at home

Lowering cholesterol

Eat lean meats and nonfat dairy products, and generally increase the amount of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet to keep your cholesterol level down and your kidney health up.

Quitting smoking and alcohol intake

• Smoking increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease, partly through its tendency to raise blood pressure. Quitting smoking is an important part of keeping your kidneys healthy.
• Alcohol is processed by the kidneys, but it puts quite a strain on these and other organs. Limit your alcohol intake to give your kidneys a break.