Did you know that certain drinks can damage your kidneys? Our kidneys are essential organs that help filter waste and keep our bodies healthy. However, most of us consume some drinks that seem inoffensive, but they can overload and damage our kidneys with the passage of time. Nephrologists warn that even drinks we have on a regular basis, like sugary soft drinks, can affect our kidney health if we don’t take care. So, to know how we can avoid this issue, we are going to tell you more about this. Let’s take care of ourselves more.
Soft and sugary drinks
These drinks are more than just fizzy beverages, they contain ingredients that can directly affect our kidneys:
- Phosphoric acid: Common in cola drinks, this can increase the risk of kidney stones and chronic kidney disease.
- High fructose corn syrup: A sweetener that raises oxalate levels in urine, contributing to the formation of kidney stones.
- Excess sugar and sodium: Too much sugar and salt raises blood pressure, which can damage blood vessels in the kidneys and affect their function.
For these reasons soft drinks can seem inoffensive, but in the long term, they can seriously affect our kidney health.
Other damaging drinks
There are more drinks that can overload our kidneys if we consume them in excess. Let’s have a look at them:
- Energy drinks: They are high in oxalates and caffeine, which can lead to kidney stones and dehydration.
- Industrial fruit juices: Even though they seem natural, they contain high amounts of potassium and added sugar. Kidneys with existing issues may struggle to filter these efficiently.
- Alcohol and spirits: These inhibit the antidiuretic hormone, forcing kidneys to work harder and causing dehydration.
In all cases, moderation is the solution. You don’t need to stop drinking these beverages if you like them, but you should consume them occasionally.
Simple habits to care for your kidneys
Experts recommend prioritizing the consumption of natural water over any other drink. Keeping hydrated with water helps kidneys to better filter toxines and reduce the chances of kidney stones. So, here are some simple tips so that you can take care of yourself:
- Drink enough water every day, adjusting based on your activity level and the weather.
- Limit sodas, energy drinks, and industrial fruit juices to special occasions.
- Avoid excessive alcohol.
- Check labels for sugar, sodium, and other ingredients that could strain your kidneys.
If you follow these simple habits, your kidneys will work more efficiently and you could avoid any issues in the long term.
So…
You should know that your kidneys work really hard everyday to keep your body healthy, so all the beverages we previously mentioned can make that job harder. We should appreciate what our bodies do for us, shouldn’t we? And the best way to do it is by drinking water, limiting sugary or alcoholic beverages, and paying attention to what you consume.
Small changes today can make a big difference tomorrow. So treat your kidneys well, so that they can continue to take care of you for a longer period of time.