Almonds offer heart-healthy fats but are high in oxalates and phosphorus, making them a risk for kidney stones and challenging for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) diets; moderation is key, and people with kidney issues or a history of stones should limit or avoid them, choosing lower-oxalate/phosphorus nuts like macadamias or pecans instead, while staying hydrated.
The best choice depends on your individual health needs, but here are our top 3 kidney-friendly nuts:
Almonds. While their blood pressure- and cholesterol-lowering properties make them kidney-friendly, almonds are relatively high in phosphorus compared to other nuts. If you enjoy almonds, it's best to consume them in smaller portions to help manage your phosphorus intake.
Almonds. Nuts in general and almonds, in particular, are rich in Vitamin E and unsaturated fats. These help the liver in eliminating bad cholesterol from the body and lowering blood pressure, besides protecting against fatty liver disease.
Almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and pecans also appear to be quite heart healthy. So are peanuts — though they are technically not a nut, but a legume, like beans. It's best to choose unsalted or unsweetened nuts. Adding salt or sugar to nuts may cancel out their heart-healthy benefits.
To strengthen your kidneys, focus on a healthy lifestyle: stay hydrated with water, eat a balanced diet low in salt and processed foods, exercise regularly, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, manage blood pressure and sugar, limit over-the-counter pain relievers (like NSAIDs), and maintain a healthy weight to support overall kidney function.
What can I do to keep my kidneys healthy?
But there are some potential side effects of eating almonds to be aware of, especially if you eat too many of them.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top culprits damaging kidneys most, as they harm the delicate filtering blood vessels, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and failure; other major factors include smoking, obesity, dehydration, poor diet (high sugar/salt/red meat), certain medications (NSAIDs), lack of sleep, and genetic conditions. These factors create a cycle where damaged kidneys worsen blood pressure, further damaging them.
To support kidney health, focus on plant-based foods like berries, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, garlic, and leafy greens, plus fatty fish (salmon, tuna), egg whites, and whole grains like buckwheat, while limiting salt, processed foods, and high-potassium options like orange juice, opting for water as your primary drink. A kidney-friendly diet emphasizes fresh, whole foods to help reduce inflammation and manage kidney function.
Foods that cause kidney stones include products high in oxalates: spinach, rhubarb, almonds, cashews, miso soup, cereals, baked potatoes (with the skin), beets, cocoa powder, okra, bran, French fries, raspberries, stevia, and sweet potatoes.
Eating almonds every day may support your skin, heart and gut health, weight and blood sugar. Almonds provide fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamin E and other beneficial plant compounds. Enjoy almonds as a snack on their own, as a topper for yogurt or cottage cheese or as a savory dip.
“The biggest risk factors are if you have high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus. Those are the main conditions that can lead to chronic kidney disease when uncontrolled,” Dr. Correa said. “Other risk factors are autoimmune conditions, which the most common is lupus.
Here are the best exercises for kidney care:
Other ways to boost your kidney health are to: Avoid processed foods, which are high in salt. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies. Exercise routinely.
Here's a breakdown of the six most common supplements people with CKD may need to support kidney health.
Acute kidney failure can be caused by factors like severe dehydration, infections, or blockages. The good news is that with the right treatment, it's often possible to reverse kidney disease in these cases. Your kidneys can return to normal function after the underlying issue is resolved.
You can check kidney function at home using at-home test kits for urine (detecting protein/albumin) or finger-prick blood tests (checking creatinine/eGFR), often with smartphone apps for analysis, or by monitoring symptoms like increased nighttime urination (nocturia), swelling, or changes in urine (blood, foam) and discussing results with a doctor, as home tests screen but don't replace professional diagnosis.
Supports heart health
Studies have shown that routine almond consumption can help lower LDL cholesterol levels, also known as “bad” cholesterol, while increasing HDL or “good” cholesterol. They're also known to improve blood pressure regulation, which is certainly a win for your heart.
Almonds are a healthy source of essential nutrients, including vitamin E, antioxidants, and healthy fats. 1 However, they should be avoided with certain foods, including refined sugars, dairy products, processed foods, and soy products.
Conclusion: The Best Time to Eat Almonds for Maximum Health Benefits
What Are Disadvantages of Almonds? Almonds are overall a healthy food, but they are very calorie-dense, so they must be eaten in moderation or they could contribute to weight gain. In addition, many people suffer from tree nut allergies, and may have an allergic reaction to eating almonds.
The Perfect Combination: Soaked and Unpeeled Almonds
For those seeking the ultimate nutritional benefits, combining the advantages of soaked and unpeeled almonds is the way to go. By soaking unpeeled almonds overnight, you unlock their full nutrient potential while enjoying the goodness of both the skin and the nut.
Almonds have been shown to lower systolic blood pressure, most likely by improving the ability of your body's blood vessels to dilate. Several studies have found that they can lower systolic blood pressure. For those who follow a DASH diet, nuts are a staple of that nutritional practice.