15 Super Foods to Help You Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

All of us know that eating a balanced diet is crucial for maintaining good health. You need to provide your body with nutrients that will give it enough energy to function properly and to make sure your health is always in top-notch condition. They don’t say that you are what you eat for no reason, so you must always take good care of yourself to be able to improve the quality of your life.

If you happen to have issues with your kidneys, you’ll be happy to know there are certain superfoods that contain antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals and, thus, help you keep your kidneys healthy. Take a look at the top superfoods that are not only good for your kidneys, but are essentially good for everyone.

Red Bell Peppers

Red bell peppers are great for kidneys, since they are low in potassium and they contain a great amount of vitamins A, C and B6, as well as fiber and folic acid. Additionally, red bell peppers contain the antioxidant lycopene, which is very useful for protection against some types of cancer.

Cabbage

Cabbage is also rich in fiber, folic acid and vitamins K, C and B6 and it is low in potassium, which makes it excellent for kidneys. It contains a lot of phytochemicals, which are great in breaking apart free radicals. Phytochemicals are also believed to be good for cardiovascular health and for fighting cancer.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a superfood that is rich in vitamin C, fiber and folate. It also contains certain compounds that help the liver in neutralizing toxic substances.

Garlic

Garlic is another excellent superfood for keeping your kidneys healthy, as it helps lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation. Additionally, it has anti-clotting and antioxidant properties. When it comes to cooking garlic, its anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting effects are reduced, but it does not affect its antioxidant properties.

Onion

Being low in potassium, onion is very good for your kidneys and it also contains chromium, which is a mineral that helps your body metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It is also rich in flavonoids, especially quercetin, which is a powerful antioxidant.

Apples

Apples are rich in fiber and have great anti-inflammatory properties. They help with reducing cholesterol and preventing constipation, but they are also great in that they protect against heart diseases and help lower the risk of cancer.

Cranberries

Cranberries are excellent for preventing urinary tract infections, since they make urine more acidic, thus preventing bacteria from staying inside the bladder. Needless to say, that is very useful for keeping your kidneys on track. Also, this is another superfood that protects against cancer and heart diseases.

Blueberries

Blueberries are rich in fiber and vitamin C and they have anti-inflammatory properties. They also contain a lot of antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins, from which this superfood gets its blue color. Blueberries also contain manganese, which helps with keeping the bones healthy and strong.

Raspberries

Raspberries are rich in vitamins C and B, folate, manganese and a lot of fiber. They contain the antioxidants anthocyanins as well, from which they get their red color. Additionally, they contain a compound called the ellagic acid, which has antiproliferative and antioxidant properties that help neutralize free radicals. What makes raspberries a really powerful superfood is the fact that they help stop cancer cell growth, as well as stop the formation of tumors.

Strawberries

Strawberries are full of vitamin C, fiber and manganese. They have anti-inflammatory properties and they are great in preventing heart diseases and fighting cancer.

Cherries

Cherries can greatly reduce inflammation if you eat them on a daily basis and they are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals that help protect you from developing heart disease.

Red Grapes

Red grapes reduce inflammation and they are rich in flavonoids that help protect your heart, as well as prevent oxidation and lower the risk of blood clots. One of the flavonoids that red grapes contain, resveratrol, boosts production of nitric oxide, which is excellent for relaxing muscles and improving your blood flow. Flavonoids are also great for fighting cancer.

Egg Whites

Egg whites provide your body with amino acids and pure protein. They are great for kidneys because they contain less phosphorus than any other source of proteins.

Fish

Fish are another great source of proteins and they have a lot of anti-inflammatory fats called omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent heart diseases and cancer. Those fats also help lower the bad cholesterol and raise the good one.

Olive Oil

Olive oil contains oleic acid, which is an anti-inflammatory fatty acid that helps prevent oxidation. It also contains antioxidants and polyphenols that prevent oxidation and inflammation. This is yet another superfood that protects against heart diseases and cancer.