17 Fruits for kidney health benefits
A variety of fruits can be beneficial for kidney health, such as the following.
Eating a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients can help promote kidney health.
If you have kidney disease, a variety of fruits can be beneficial to include in your diet as long as they don’t contain excessive amounts of potassium and phosphorus.
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Strawberries
- Contain two types of phenols, anthocyanins, and ellagitannins, which improve kidney function.
- Rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body from oxidative damage.
- Great source of vitamin C, manganese, and fiber.
- Contain anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties that promote overall good health.
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Cranberries
- Loaded with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which are beneficial for people suffering from kidney ailments or UTIs.
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Blueberries
- 1 cup of blueberries contains 114 grams of potassium and 18 milligrams of phosphorus.
- High in antioxidants and phytonutrients called anthocyanidins, which reduce inflammation and promote renal and kidney health.
- Good source of vitamin C and manganese, which are good for bones and skin and help reduce signs of aging.
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Raspberries
- Enriched with phytonutrients called ellagic acid, which help neutralize free radicals in the body and prevent cell damage.
- Contain flavonoids, which are good for improving kidney function and can reduce the growth of cancer cells.
- Excellent source of manganese, vitamin B and C, fiber, and folate.
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Apples
- 1 medium-sized apple has 195 milligrams of potassium and 20 milligrams of phosphorus.
- May help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels and ease constipation.
- Anti-inflammatory properties and high fiber content, help improve kidney function.
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Grapes
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Pineapples
- Low-potassium food option that helps lower blood pressure, which is a common complication of severe kidney disease.
- Contains bromelain, a digestive enzyme that helps dissolve kidney stones in the body.
- High in fiber and supports heart health (heart complications are common in people undergoing dialysis).
- Good source of vitamin C boost, which helps boost the immune system.
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Citrus fruits
The more vitamin C in your diet, the better for your kidneys. Oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits contain vitamin C in abundance. Consuming dilute lemon juice daily may help decrease the risk of kidney stone formation.
Other fruits good for kidney health
Other fruits that may be recommended for promoting kidney health include:
- Pears
- Peaches
- Clementines
- Nectarines
- Mandarins
- Plums
- Satsumas
- Watermelon
- Cherries
How much fruit should you include in your diet?
Since appropriate portion sizes vary from person to person, talk to your doctor or dietitian for recommendations on how much fruit to include in your diet to avoid consuming excessive amounts of these minerals.
Which fruits are bad for the kidneys?
When it comes to kidney health, fruits are on both sides of the fence. A person with renal illness should avoid high-potassium fruits.
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Bananas
- Bananas are high in potassium, with about 422 mg per medium-sized banana.
- As a result, if this fruit is a daily mainstay for people with chronic renal disease, maintaining a daily potassium intake of less than 2,000 to 2,500 mg may be difficult.
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Oranges
- Although oranges and orange juice are loaded with antioxidants, they are high in potassium.
- Oranges and orange juice should be avoided or limited on a renal diet due to their high potassium level although they are best recognized for their vitamin C content.
- Grapes, apples, and cranberries are all suitable replacements for oranges.
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Dried fruits
- Dried fruits are not recommended for people with renal disease or diabetes because they contain a lot of sugar and minerals such as potassium.
- In reality, half a cup (65 grams) of dried apricots contains about 755 milligrams of potassium.
- Dried fruits are strong in fast-digesting sugar, which is undesirable if you have diabetes.
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Avocados
- Avocados are high in potassium. One avocado weighing about 200 grams contains 975 mg of potassium, almost half of the daily recommended amount for people with kidney disease.
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Kiwi
- Because kiwifruit contains a lot of oxalates, people who have kidney stones should avoid eating it. Furthermore, kiwifruits are high in potassium, which may be problematic for people with renal problems.
Other fruits to avoid or limit for people with kidney disease
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew
- Mangos
- Papaya
- Prune juice
Why should you avoid high potassium food with kidney disease?
Potassium levels are not well-regulated in kidney disease. Both the disease and some medications used to treat kidney disease may cause potassium buildup in the body. Hence, potassium intake should be reduced in a kidney disease diet.
Many fruits, including melons, bananas, oranges, prunes, and tomatoes, are high in potassium. Fruit punches, canned and bottled fruit juices, and iced tea are harmful in people with kidney disease. Apples, grapes, and strawberries are low-potassium foods that are considered healthy options.
High vs low-potassium foods list
Low-potassium foods include
- Apples
- Berries
- Fruit cocktail
- Grapes
- Lemon
- Peaches
- Canned pears
- Pineapple
- Plums
- Watermelon
High-potassium fruits include
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Cantaloupe
- Dried fruits
- Honeydew
- Kiwi
- Mangos
- Oranges and orange juice
- Papaya
- Prune juice
Further tips
- Instead of bananas, oranges or kiwis, choose apples, berries, or grapes.
- Instead of cantaloupe or honeydew, choose watermelon.
- Instead of nectarines, mangos, or papaya, eat peaches, plums, or pineapple.
- Instead of raisins or other dried fruit, use dried cranberries.
- Instead of orange or prune juice, try apple, cranberry, or grape juice.
