Get Healthy Kidneys With This 100% Natural Drink

Did you know that some foods can help to boost kidney function? Remember, these organs are responsible for eliminating toxins, so it's important to take good care of them.

Your kidneys are the organs that are in charge of filtering out toxins. These toxins circulate in the bloodstream, and are later eliminated through the urine.

This process is carried out naturally, and healthy kidneys don’t usually need help to filter toxins from the body. However, we can take advantage of some homemade drinks that can help to promote kidney health and function.

Citrus drinks for healthy kidneys

As we mentioned earlier, you don’t need to consume a specific food, powder, or drink to detox your kidneys. As long as they’re healthy, your kidneys will naturally carry out this process themselves.

In fact, an article from the National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health entitled, “Detoxes” and “Cleanses”: What You Need to Know, noted that there is no conclusive data to support the use of detox diets to remove toxins from the body.

Despite this conclusion, we’d like to suggest a natural drink that you can incorporate into your regular diet to help take care of your kidneys. It’s made from a combination of limes, lemons and oranges, citrus fruits with a high content of vitamins (especially vitamin C) and dietary fiber.

Human beings cannot synthesize this vitamin by themselves. As such, it’s important to eat foods that are rich in vitamin C. According to information published by the National Institutes of Health, it’s essential for the synthesis of collagen, and is also involved in protein metabolism.

What’s more, this vitamin also has antioxidant properties. An investigation by Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences suggests that antioxidants combat free radicals (molecules that can damage the body) and protect the body against the onset of degenerative diseases. 

Finally, it’s also worth noting that fluid intake is essential for the kidneys to carry out the detoxification process properly. In fact, in a number of different studies, such as this one from the Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, specialists have shown that toxins are predominantly eliminated through urine and sweat.

So, making sure to drink enough fluids every day, and even opting for drinks with diuretic properties could help your kidneys to do their job more easily.

Drinks to promote healthy kidneys: why lemon, lime and orange?

Citric and phosphoric acid are two of the main components in lemons, limes and oranges. The US National Library of Medicine explains that the inclusion of citrus fruits in the diet is one way to prevent kidney stones, as citrate helps to prevent these deposits from forming.

Similarly, other studies, such as one published in the Revista Médica Clínica Las Condes (the Las Condes Clinic Medical Journal), suggest that its consumption may reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and diseases, by causing the acidification of the environment.

How do I prepare this beverage?

This drink is an excellent alternative for those who don’t like drinking plain water, as the touch of citrus gives it a really nice flavor. That way, you can stay hydrated without even thinking about it. This, in turn, can help to improve the appearance of skin, and can even contribute to weight loss.

Ingredients

• 1 orange
• 10 mint leaves
• 1 lime and 1 lemon
• 5 glasses of water (1 1/4 liters)
• 1 tablespoon of vinegar or baking soda (10 g)

Instructions

• Dissolve the vinegar or baking soda in water and then use that water to wash the fruit skin.
• Next, cut the lemon, lime and orange in slices.
• Pour the fruit into a pitcher, adding the water and mint leaves.
• Let stand for at least two hours, or preferably overnight.
• Drink in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Things to keep in mind!

Although you can use this beverage as a supplement to help promote healthy kidneys, it’s essential to keep in mind that the state of your kidneys will largely depend upon other lifestyle choices. As such, it’s advisable to improve your diet and lower your consumption of oxalate-rich foods such as coffee, commercial soft drinks, nuts and cocoa.

It’s also worth increasing your vitamin C intake, not only to prevent kidney stones but also to protect the entire urinary system and the immune system. One good option is to incorporate blueberries into your diet. Blueberries have a high antioxidant content as well as vitamins and minerals.

Don’t forget to drink the equivalent of around 8 glasses of water per day, either by itself or in the form of infusions, fruit, or other foods with a high water content. Hydration is vital for the proper functioning of the entire body.

If you suffer from kidney disease or are taking any special medication, it’s fundamental that you consult your doctor before you start consuming this drink.