Why People with Kidney Disease Should Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

People with kidney disease due to hypertension could benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables. According to new research, a diet rich in vegetables and fruits may help diseased kidneys function better and could offer a simple, drug-free way to slow down the progression of hypertensive kidney disease.

Eating Fruits and Vegetables for Hypertensive Kidney Disease

People with long-standing poorly controlled hypertension are at greater risk for chronic kidney disease. Over time, elevated blood pressures damage the blood vessels that feed into the kidneys, which reduces the kidneys ability to filter waste. It can also lead to kidney scarring, which further reduces kidney function. Sometimes the kidney damage is so bad that a person requires dialysis.

Can eating fruits and vegetables improve kidney function in people with chronic kidney disease? When researchers gave 40 patients with hypertensive kidney disease a diet rich in fruits and vegetables for 30 days, they made some interesting observations. When these patients began eating vegetables and fruits, they had lower levels of blood markers that indicate kidney damage.

Why would this be? Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables raises the pH of the blood, thereby reducing its acidity. When the blood becomes too acidic, it worsens kidney function and contributes to further progression of kidney disease. In fact, doctors often give sodium bicarbonate to people with chronic kidney disease to raise the pH of their blood and reduce acidity. Eating fruits and vegetables does the same thing. Its also possible that the antioxidants in vegetables and fruits play a role in boosting kidney function too.

Hypertensive Kidney Disease and a Fruit and Vegetable-Based Diet

Should people with chronic kidney disease due to hypertension eat more fruits and vegetables? Its important for people with diseased kidneys to discuss diet with their doctor before making changes, but eating more vegetables and fruits has few downsides. Some people with chronic kidney disease may need to restrict the amount of potassium they eat, which could alter the types and amounts of fruits and vegetables they eat. But other than this, eating vegetables and fruits is a positive for kidney function and for overall health. Talk to your doctor about this.

References:

Medical News Today. "Produce-Rich Diet Improves Long-Term Kidney Health".