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Your kidneys naturally cleanse your body by filtering waste from your blood. There’s no need to do a kidney cleanse, but staying hydrated, prioritizing certain foods, and other habits can help to support kidney function.
The kidneys are two small organs located on either side of the spine, below the ribs.
They play an important role in:
- getting rid of excess waste
- balancing electrolytes
- creating hormones
In the absence of disease, a well-rounded diet and adequate water intake are usually enough to keep your kidneys healthy.
However, certain foods, herbs, and supplements can help support strong kidneys.
From your morning glass of water to that extra cup of herbal tea, here are four ways to cleanse your kidneys and keep them functioning strong.
The adult human body is composed of almost 60 percent water. Every single organ, from the brain to the liver, requires water to function.
As the filtration system of the body, the kidneys require water to secrete urine. Urine is the primary waste product that allows the body to get rid of unwanted or unnecessary substances.
When water intake is low, urine volume is low. A low urine output may lead to kidney dysfunction, such as the creation of kidney stones.
It’s crucial to drink enough water so that the kidneys can properly flush out any excess waste materials. This is especially important during a kidney cleanse.
The recommended daily intake of fluids is roughly 3.7 liters and 2.7 liters a day for men and women, respectively, according to the Institute of Medicine.
Grapes
Grapes, peanuts, and some berries contain a beneficial plant compound called resveratrol.
In one animal study, researchers found that treatment with resveratrol was able to lower kidney inflammation in rats with polycystic kidney disease.
A handful of red grapes makes a great afternoon snack — and they taste even better frozen!
Cranberries
Cranberries have often been praised for their bladder health benefits.
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Dried cranberries are a deliciously sweet addition to trail mix, salads, or even oatmeal.
Fruit juices
Lemon, orange, and melon juice all contain citric acid, or citrate.
Citrate helps prevent kidney stone formation by binding with calcium in urine. This inhibits the growth of calcium crystals, which can lead to kidney stones.
In addition, drinking a cup of fresh juice per day can contribute to your daily recommended fluid intake.
Seaweed
Brown seaweed has been studied for its beneficial effects on the pancreas, kidneys, and liver.
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Try a packet of dried, seasoned seaweed the next time you’re craving a crunchy snack.
Calcium-rich foods
Many people believe that avoiding calcium can help prevent kidney stones. In fact, the opposite is true.
Too much urinary oxalate can lead to kidney stones. Calcium is needed to bind with oxalate to reduce the absorption and excretion of this substance.
You can meet the recommended daily intake of 1.2 grams of calcium by consuming high-calcium foods, such as:
- soy or almond milk
- tofu
- fortified cereals
Hydrangea
Hydrangea is a gorgeous flowering shrub, well known for its lavender, pink, blue, and white flowers.
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Try this tea: Dr. Clark Store’s Kidney Cleanse Tea
Sambong
Sambong is a tropical climate shrub, common to countries such as the Philippines and India.
In one
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is an important cofactor in many metabolic reactions. B6 is required for the metabolism of glyoxylate, which can become oxalate instead of glycine if B6 is deficient.
As mentioned above, too much oxalate may lead to kidney stones.
Supplement with a daily B-complex vitamin that provides at least 50 milligrams of B6.
According to the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB), adults should not exceed
Omega-3s
The standard Western diet is often high in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and low in beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are two of the most important omega-3 fatty acids.
Supplement with a daily high-quality fish oil containing 1.2 g of both EPA and DHA.
Potassium citrate
Potassium is a necessary element of electrolyte balance and pH balance of urine.
Therapy with potassium citrate can potentially help reduce the formation of kidney stones, especially in people who experience recurring episodes.
For those with a history of other kidney problems, talk with your doctor before you take potassium supplements.
Supplement with a daily multivitamin or multimineral that contains potassium.
Once you’ve incorporated these foods, herbs, and supplements into your diet, you may want to consider taking your kidney support to the next level.
This sample 2-day kidney cleanse is thought to help strengthen your kidneys and detoxify your body, but there’s no research to support a cleansing action. This plan, however, uses foods to help support kidney health.
Day 1
- Breakfast: 8 ounces each fresh lemon, ginger, and beet juice, plus 1/4 cup sweetened, dried cranberries
- Lunch: smoothie of 1 cup almond milk, 1/2 cup tofu, 1/2 cup spinach, 1/4 cup berries, 1/2 apple, and 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
- Dinner: large mixed-greens salad with 4 ounces lean protein (chicken, fish, or tofu), topped with 1/2 cup grapes and 1/4 cup peanuts
Day 2
- Breakfast: smoothie of 1 cup soy milk, 1 frozen banana, 1/2 cup spinach, 1/2 cup blueberries, and 1 teaspoon spirulina
- Lunch: 1 cup hot millet topped with 1 cup fresh fruit and 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
- Dinner: large mixed-greens salad with 4 ounces lean protein (chicken, fish, or tofu), topped with 1/2 cup cooked barley and a drizzle of fresh lemon juice plus 4 ounces each unsweetened cherry juice and orange juice
Most healthy people don’t need to flush or cleanse their kidneys. Still, there are plenty of beneficial foods, herbal teas, and supplements that can support kidney health.
If you have a history of kidney problems, talk with your healthcare provider before trying a kidney cleanse. Drink plenty of fluids regardless of what you try.
If you’re looking to help your kidneys cleanse your body, try slowly incorporating some of the suggestions above.
As always, discuss any dietary or health changes with your doctor ahead of time — especially before doing a cleanse of any kind.
