Research has not shown that drinking 3-4 cups of coffee a day increases the risk of kidney disease or increases the rate of decline of kidney function, however, moderating how much coffee you drink is a good idea. Those struggling with blood pressure control should especially drink less than three cups per day.
Living with kidney disease means making certain adjustments to what and how much you eat and drink. Fortunately, kidney disease does not mean you have to get rid of coffee if you enjoy drinking it. Generally, coffee is safe to drink in moderation and when limiting cream and sugar. It's best to drink your coffee black.
Water: Water is simply the best drink you can have! Water is a zero-calorie, perfectly hydrating, cheap drink. If you are in the earlier stages of kidney disease, choosing water most of the time to quench your thirst will keep your body and kidneys functioning well.
Caffeine increases your heart rate and expands your blood vessel diameter, and it regulates blood flow throughout your body. As a result of the increase in blood flow, the toxins and metabolites are filtered out of your blood through your kidneys faster.
Conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes take a toll on kidney function by damaging these filtering units and collecting tubules and causing scarring.
Lemons contain citrate, which helps prevent calcium from building up and forming stones in your kidneys. Interestingly, the benefit doesn't seem to be present in oranges, making lemon a unique tool in kidney stone prevention.
While it's not possible to reverse kidney damage, you can take steps to slow it down. Taking prescribed medicine, being physically active, and eating well will help.
Caffeine
Caffeine found in coffee, tea, soda, and foods can also place a strain on your kidneys. Caffeine is a stimulant, which can cause increased blood flow, blood pressure and stress on the kidneys. Excessive caffeine intake has also been linked to kidney stones.
That study found those who drank more than four cups of coffee each day were at higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Gundersen Health System registered dietitian Halley Molstad said limit yourself to four or fewer cups of coffee each day.
Dark chocolate has many health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, improving vascular system function, and reducing total cholesterol and LDL. These significant benefits could reduce chronic kidney disease or kidney failure complications. However, milk chocolate bars can also harm those with kidney disease.
When kidneys are failing, the increased concentration and accumulation of substances in urine lead to a darker color which may be brown, red or purple. The color change is due to abnormal protein or sugar, high levels of red and white blood cells, and high numbers of tube-shaped particles called cellular casts.
High blood pressure damages the kidneys over time, and is a leading cause of kidney failure.
Healthy options for kidney disease are protein, egg whites, fish, unsaturated fats, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, apple juice, grape and cranberry juice, light colored soda. The amount of protein intake per day varies depending on the stage of kidney disease.
When your kidneys are not healthy, you need to limit certain foods such as nuts, tomatoes and chocolate that are high in potassium. You may feel some weakness, numbness and tingling if your potassium is at a high level.
Milk, yogurt, and cheese can be part of a healthy kidney diet. Shop for natural cheeses, avoiding items labeled “cheese food” or “cheese product.” Greek yogurt and cottage cheese can be easy and tasty snacks, and, in most cases, milk servings should be 1 cup per day.
A kidney is an organ with relatively low basal cellular regenerative potential. However, renal cells have a pronounced ability to proliferate after injury, which undermines that the kidney cells are able to regenerate under induced conditions.
Acute kidney failure requires immediate treatment. The good news is that acute kidney failure can often be reversed. The kidneys usually start working again within several weeks to months after the underlying cause has been treated. Dialysis is needed until then.
Some foods to cleanse the liver are apple, beetroot, broccoli, brown rice, cabbage, carrot, onion, spinach, tomato, walnut, herbs and spices such as turmeric and cinnamon. Foods to cleanse the kidney are spirulina, banana, cucumber, legumes and seeds, papaya, parsley, pumpkin and watermelon.