The best foods to cleanse the kidneys

The kidneys ensure many functions essential to the body : they filter the blood, eliminate waste, regulate blood pressure, stimulate the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow…. We quickly understand: they are ESSENTIAL organsyou have to take care of them and not let them get dirty.

Banana prevents kidney disease

Thanks to its richness in potassium (360 mg per 100 g of banana, i.e. 1/5th of the daily intake – a banana weighs approximately 120 g), the banana is protective for the kidneys. “Dietary potassium is associated with a lower risk of developing chronic kidney disease“, showed a study conducted in 2019 on more than 5,000 people and published in the journal Medical Science Monitor. Another study carried out in 2005 showed that women who consumed two to three bananas per week had 33% less risk to develop kidney disease (polycystic kidney disease, stones, renal lithiasis, etc.).

Chives “for depuration”

Thanks to its depurative functions, chives are capable of cleansing the kidneys and strengthen kidney and urinary function. Moreover, in Chinese medicine, chives are a health food very interesting. “Chives are excellent for a depuration, it dries out edematous deposits and tones the Qi (energy in Chinese medicine) of the Kidney“, writes Roberto Marrocchesi in his book “Purify and heal the kidneys” (Macro Editions), graduate in pharmacy, naturopath and nutritionist. Sprinkle fresh or frozen on fish, meat, eggs or sauces.

Diuretic blackcurrant eliminates kidney toxins

Rich in potassium, calcium, vitamin C and flavonoids (antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating properties), blackcurrant is a fruit that acts as diuretic for the kidneys: it promotes the elimination of toxins and, in fact, improves kidney function. Are recommended: a glass of blackcurrant juice per day or 2 cups of blackcurrant berry infusion per day. On the other hand, be careful, blackcurrant leaves, as an infusion, are contraindicated in cases of kidney failure because they are too diuretic and draining.

Dandelion anti kidney stones

Also known as meadow chicory, dandelion contains vitamins A, B and C and trace elements (calcium, potassium, magnesium, silica, etc.), a nutritional richness that is particularly beneficial for the kidneys. If you can eat it in a salad with a vinaigrette, they are especially leaves and roots which are used to make depurative infusions. The flower petals can be added to salads. “Dandelion increases bile production and promotes its evacuation. Friend of the liver (depurative) and queens (diuretic), it helps fight conditions affecting these organs. It is low in energy and contributes to prevent kidney stones“, explains Marie-Laure André, dietitian in the book “150 Healthy Foods” (Hachette), co-written with naturopath Alessandra Moro Buronzo.

Beans, good for kidney health

For good kidney health, care must be taken to eat enough protein (but not too much either). “During digestion, part of the food proteins is transformed into urea which is filtered by the kidneys and eliminated in the urine. The more dietary protein ingested, the more urinary urea. In case of kidney failure, this elimination decreases and urea accumulates in the blood. For these reasons and to avoid increasing the work of the kidneys, it is recommended to control your protein intake“, explains Professor Moglie le Quintrec-Donnette, in a file devoted to renal health at the Montpellier University Hospital. It is appropriate to vary protein sources (we don’t only eat red meat!) and include plant-based proteins in our plate, better eliminated through the kidneys. Generally speaking, legumes (lentils, split peas, dried beans, etc.) are rich in plant proteins, notably beans which are the legumes that contain the most (26g of protein per 100g).

Fenugreek, the detoxifying aromatic

Fenugreek is an aromatic plant with multiple virtues, including diuretics. Sprinkled in his dishes at the rate of 1 to 3 g of powder per day, it helps to evacuate substances that impair the proper functioning of the kidneys. Fenugreek, particularly in its sprouted version, is a “excellent liver and kidney cleanser“, we can read in the book “Living Food for Your Health”.

Be careful of carbonated water, too salty!

► Too much salt is bad for the kidneys. It is therefore advisable to eat “fresh” “unprepared” foods as much as possible which naturally contain less salt and to season with garlic, onions, shallots, thyme, basil, dill, curry, nutmeg, lemon…

► It is advisable to drink every day between 1 liter to 1.5 l of water spread over the day, excess drinking is useless and does not improve kidney function. Be careful with sparkling waters as they can be rich in salt, favor sparkling waters containing less than 50 mg of sodium per liter (Perrier®, Salvetat®, San Pellegrino®)