The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs. They are situated in the back of the abdomen. Each kidney is about 3 or 4 inches long -about the size of a fist. One of the main functions of the kidney is to filter the blood. All the blood in the body passes through the kidneys many times a day. The kidneys, control the body’s fluid balance, remove wastes and regulate the balance of electrolytes. As the kidneys filter blood, they produce urine, which collects in the pelvis of kidneys.
Functions of the Kidney in the Body
There are several functions of the kidneys. Here we have jotted down a few common functions.
- Waste excretion: There are several things the body doesn’t need inside of it and the kidneys immensely help get rid of some of them. The kidneys filter out excess salts, toxins and urea, a nitrogen-based waste mainly created by cell metabolism.
- Water level balancing: As the kidneys are important in the production of urine, they promptly react to many changes in the water level of the body throughout the day. As the water intake decreases, the kidneys adjust accordingly and leave the water in the body instead of helping excrete it.
- Blood pressure regulation: The kidneys need pressure to filter the blood. When it drops too low, the kidneys enhance the pressure. One way is by creating a blood vessel-constricting protein that signals the body to retain water and sodium. Both the retention and constriction help restore normal blood pressure.
- Red blood cell regulation: When the two kidneys don’t get sufficient oxygen, they send out a call in the form of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to create more oxygen-carrying red blood cells.
- Acid regulation: As cells metabolize, they create acids. Foods we eat can either enhance the acid in the body or neutralize it. If the human body is to act properly, it needs to keep a balance of these chemicals. The kidneys do that, too.
Best Kidney Detox Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs
If not eliminated properly, toxins may build up in the body and can cause many problems like kidney stones and high blood pressure. Cleansing the kidneys help improve urine flow, eliminate toxins and improve kidney function. The kidney can easily cleanse itself if one consumes a sufficient amount of fluids and kidney cleansing foods, which can come from foods like vegetables and fruits, as well as water and other liquids. Food for kidney cleansing is listed below to achieve healthy kidneys.
Watermelon
In kidney cleansing fruits the best detoxifying diet must include watermelon. Watermelon is 93% water by weight, which means that it will help the body to flush the kidneys, which aid in removing very small stones. It is an outstanding source of potassium, which is a mineral salt that help dissolve kidney stones allowing the residue to be passed. The best kidney detox juice diet must include watermelon juice, and you can easily prepare it at home.
Ingredients:
- one seedless watermelon
- Powdered sugar or honey to taste
- Cold water and ice cubes
At first, peel the watermelon and slice it into thin chunks using a sharp knife. Then place the watermelon chunks into a container. Thereafter place the watermelon in a blender and add honey or powdered sugar if needed. Next, blend the watermelon chunks and sweetener. Add ice cubes for thicker juice and water for thinner juice. Blend well until the juice is smooth. If you wish to remove the pulp, you can stain the juice.
Lemon Juice
In Kidney cleansing fruits the best kidney detox juices must include lemon juice. Lemon juice immensely helps to reduce kidney stone formation. Drinking one cup of lemon juice every day immensely helps raise citrate levels in the urine. Lemon acts as a natural bleach and a powerful antiseptic and antibacterial agent. It is a great source of alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and Vitamin C. The presence of Vitamin C in lemon helps remove the dark circles. One can utilize apple cider vinegar instead of a lemon: simply mix five teaspoons or so in about a gallon of drinking water and drink it throughout the day. Lemon is considered as one of the best kidney cleansing foods.
Apples
The kidneys and liver are important organs that help process and filter out food, alcohol, medications and other substances that enter the body. Kidney cleansing foods like Apples are rich in fiber and antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory compounds that help improve kidney function. Apple is a good source of potassium, phosphorous, zinc, calcium, iron, copper, manganese, sodium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin E, thiamine, folate, pantothenic acid, niacin, riboflavin, and pectin.
Pectin is a different type of fiber that aids in removing harmful toxins from the body. Apples make it simpler for the kidney to handle a load of toxins during the cleansing process. Regular eating of fresh apple aids in detoxification of the body.
Carrot
The best kidney detoxification foods must include carrot. Carrots are rich in Vitamin k, Vitamin A, potassium, molybdenum, dietary fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, niacin, manganese, phosphorous, folate, copper, Vitamin B2, Vitamin E , iron and glutathione. Glutathione is a protein that aids in the detoxification of the kidney. Food for kidney cleansing includes regular eating of carrots can help improve and stimulate the kidney functions.
Raw carrots improve the functions of hormones. Daily eating of carrots helps repair the cellular structure of the epidermis which gives us protection from UV rays and it decreases the clustering of melanin granules that reduce brown spots and pigmentation. The best healthy juices for kidney detox should include carrot juice. You can easily prepare it at home.
At first wash four carrots and place the cleansed carrots in a blender. Then continue the process until they finely mashed. Carefully pour the puree into a large glass measuring cup and add one cup of hot water and stir. Allow the mixture stand for about 30-35 minutes. Using a hand strainer, strain the carrot juice into a 2 quart (2 L) pitcher. Using the base of a glass press the mash to extract as much carrot juice as possible from the strainer. It’s optional, but it’s very tasty! Juice 3 oranges, and add that tasty nectar to the carrot juice.
Turmeric
The best kidney and liver detox diet should include turmeric. It helps boost kidney detox. It has anti-inflammatory properties so it can immensely help prevent kidney infections and also help treat kidney inflammation. It does this by increasing enzymes that actively flush out dietary carcinogens. Turmeric is rich in sodium, Vitamin B6, insoluble fiber, fatty acids and amino acids.
Turmeric is used for stomach pain, heart burns, arthritis, diarrhea, stomach bleeding, intestinal gas, jaundice, loss of appetite, gallbladder disorders, and liver problems. It is also used for bronchitis, lung functions, colds, headaches, leprosy, cancer, kidney disease and Alzheimer’s disease. It works as a good emmenagogue and its emmenagogue properties aid to make the skin softer and smoother. Its anti inflammatory properties also help you in relieving menstrual pain.
Berries
The best kidney detox diet should include berries. Berries are rich in antioxidants and contain various disease fighting qualities. They help immensely to flush out uric acid from the kidneys thus keeping them stronger and healthier. Blueberries and cranberries are the best choices among all the berries, because they contain a substance that effectively washes away uric acid and the urea from the kidneys.
Beets
The best foods for detoxification of the body should include beets. It is a great source of magnesium, potassium, fiber, iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, folic acid, beta cyanine, Vitamin K, and glutathione. Glutathione is a protein that aids in the detoxification of the kidney. Regular eating of beets can help improve and stimulate the kidney functions.
The presence of phytonutrients like betalains in beets also helps support kidney functions. Phytonutrients are substances found in various plants, and they help fight numerous harmful diseases. Betalains are a group of pigments found in roots of the Caryophyllales plants. Beet helps balance the acidity in the body and its alkaline nature aids in the reduction of many problems of ovarian cysts.
Grape Fruit
Grape fruit is immensely good food for kidney. Grape fruit is a great source of copper, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, pantothenic acid, pectin, potassium, fiber and Vitamin B. The presence of a flavonoid and naringin in grape fruit regulates enzyme activity in the kidney. Pectin helps to remove harmful toxins from the body.
Being high in Vitamin C and antioxidants, grape fruit increases the production of the kidney detoxification enzymes and regulates the natural kidney and liver cleansing process. The presence of Vitamin C in grape fruit also helps to increase collagen production.
The kidneys are one of the main organs and systems that the body uses to detoxify itself. Include these fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the diet to help keep the kidney functioning properly, and don’t forget to share your valuable health tips with us.
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