Fruits nourish you with fiber, minerals, and vitamins, but some may be better than others for maintaining healthy kidneys. In general, look for fruits that are rich in antioxidants — such as flavonoids and vitamins A, C, and E — and low in potassium. If you have kidney stones or chronic kidney disease, talk to your doctor about which fruits are best for your particular condition—and what to avoid. But a kidney patient should be careful with the diet about what fruits and vegetables to eat or not. Can a kidney patient eat orange and other fruits or not?
Basics for Kidney Patient
Your kidneys, two bean-shaped organs partially protected by your back ribs, filter toxins from the blood and regulate water and salt levels. The kidneys also regulate blood pressure and the pH balance, or level of acidity and alkalinity, in your system. Eat plenty of fruit to help balance your pH, build your immune system, reduce inflammation, and protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Orange and other Fruit choices for Kidney Patient
For healthy kidneys, include fruits that are high in fiber and have anti-inflammatory properties in your diet. Apples lower cholesterol and keep you regular. Red grapes contain a flavonoid known as resveratrol, which can reduce inflammation by increasing muscle relaxation in blood vessels. Cranberries keep your urine more acidic because it helps to prevent urinary tract infections that can lead to kidney infections. Blueberries and raspberries contain vitamin C and manganese, as well as anthocyanins, an antioxidant compound with anti-inflammatory properties. Strawberries and cherries contain antioxidants that protect your heart.
Kidney stones In kidney patient
If you have kidney stones caused by minerals binding in your urine, fruits high in potassium — like bananas — may help, according to experts at the Linus Pauling Institute. A daily glass of orange juice can reduce the acidity of urine and help reduce the growth of kidney stones, according to a study published in the “Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.”
Can Kidney Patient eat orange?
Oranges with kidney disease can be a controversial topic. Many nephrologists and dietitians often do not recommend high amounts of citrus fruits for people with kidney disease because they contain high amounts of potassium. However, people with healthy potassium levels can benefit from citrus fruits. They increase the citrate content of the urine, reducing the risk of kidney stones. Oranges are full of vitamin C and the protein content is very low. Eating oranges in chronic kidney disease (CKD) diet may be okay if your potassium levels are in a healthy range. Because of the high potassium and sugar content in oranges, you must limit oranges and orange juice to moderate amounts.
How much nutrition does an orange give to kidney patients?
An orange usually contains around 170 mg – 330 mg of potassium. The high potassium content in oranges is a major spoiler in case you have kidney problems. Potassium is an important mineral your body gets from fruits and vegetables, and getting the right amount of it because it can greatly benefit your cardiovascular health. Normally functioning kidneys can remove excess potassium from the blood and excrete it in the urine. But with kidney disease and CKD, the kidneys will have difficulty flushing excess potassium from the blood. You should always monitor your potassium levels when you have kidney disease.
How much fruit should kidney patients include in their diet?
Tomatoes, citrus fruits, avocados, bananas, and dried fruits are some of the fruits and vegetables. It should be limited and avoided with kidney disease. If your potassium is healthy while you can safely consume oranges in moderation. Looking at your potassium levels in your most recent blood test will give you a clear idea.
What does orange do to a kidney patient?
Oranges can easily fit into the CKD diet for most people whose potassium levels are naturally low to moderate. Fruits high in potassium can help with fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals for people with low potassium levels. Always be sure to consult your nephrologist or dietitian before making any significant changes to your diet. Checking your blood count can be a great start to monitoring your potassium levels.