90% of sufferers do not know; Do not remove these 4 foods from your diet, eat less

Experts warn that excessive consumption of processed meats, packaged foods, sugary drinks and salty snacks can damage kidney health.

According to Ambassador Arjan's report from Ambassador Arjan, experts warn that excessive consumption of processed meats, packaged foods, sweet drinks and salty snacks can harm the health of the kidneys; However, it is not necessary to completely eliminate these foods and it is important to observe moderation in their consumption.

According to the World Health Organization, chronic kidney disease affects millions of people around the world. Many of these people do not know that they have a disease, because the symptoms of the early stages are usually ignored; Therefore, kidney health should be one of everyone's priorities.

Approximately one in seven adults worldwide has chronic kidney disease, but about 90% of them are unaware of their disease.

When the kidneys are working properly, they filter about half a cup of blood every minute to remove waste products and maintain the body's fluid and solute balance.

Diet plays an important role in kidney function. The consumption of any of the foods is not completely prohibited, but some foods make the kidneys work harder, especially if they are consumed regularly. In the following, we introduce four foods that are the most harmful for the kidneys according to experts.

When you consume too much sodium, the kidneys have to work harder than usual to eliminate excess sodium and maintain fluid balance. One of the foods that quickly increase your daily sodium intake is processed meat.

Melanie Betz, a nutritionist, says: Foods like bacon, sausage, hot dogs, salami (a type of dry sausage), sausages and deli meats are full of sodium.

For example, ready-made turkey, which most people think is a healthier option, can be high in sodium; A serving of about 57 grams (about 4 tablespoons) has about 450 mg of sodium. This is approximately 20% of the daily limit of 2,300 milligrams of sodium; It's just sodium in meat. Bread, sauce and other sandwich ingredients also contain sodium and are added to it.

Too much sodium can contribute to high blood pressure, which is a leading cause of kidney disease, says Betts. It can also increase the risk of kidney stones. If a sausage sandwich is your regular lunch, you don't have to give it up completely; But a few times a week instead, use low-salt ingredients like tuna salad, hummus or peanut butter and jam to fill your sandwich.

Using packaged and processed foods reduces the need to cook at home; But their disadvantage is that they usually have more sodium.

Jen Hernandez, nutritionist, says: "The biggest culprits in my opinion are processed and commercially packaged foods; Such as canned soups, prepared meats, condiments, breads and restaurant food. These foods are full of salt. Interestingly, most of the salt we eat does not come from the salt pan; It comes from prepared and packaged foods.

Hernandez adds: sodium is not only in the salt shaker that we put on the table. Many ready meals already contain a lot of salt and we don't even notice it. For this reason, if you care about your kidney health, you need to know where this hidden salt is.

You don't have to cook everything from scratch. Just make it a habit to read labels when shopping and preparing food, and when possible, choose low-salt versions of your favorite foods. Look for these signs on food labels: less than 10 percent of your daily sodium allowance, or terms like low-salt, no-salt, or reduced-salt.

Drinking enough water is important for overall health, but not all drinks are the same for kidney function. Sugary drinks like regular cola, sweet tea, lemonade, and punch should also be limited, says Betts. These drinks are associated with an increased risk of kidney disease and kidney stones.

Research shows that consuming more than seven servings per week (or one serving per day) of sugary drinks significantly increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

In addition to plain water, carbonated water, tea and coffee without sugar can also supply the body with water and create a variety of drinks. Although milk is not well known as a source of hydration, it may reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Do you love snacks? You are not alone! Adults around the world eat an average of one to three snacks a day. But if salty snacks like potato chips, pretzels, and jerky are your go-to choices, it might be time to switch, because these foods can put you over your daily sodium limit.

Reducing salt intake helps the kidneys manage the amount of fluid that remains in the body, and if you have kidney disease, less salt in your diet can reduce the amount of protein in your urine, says nutritionist Melissa Prest.

If you're not ready to ditch your favorite salty snacks entirely, try combining half a serving with a low-salt snack like unsalted popcorn, unsalted nuts, or dried fruit; As a result, you both enjoy your favorite food and get less sodium in each snack.

In addition to the balanced consumption of the aforementioned foods, experts have some other recommendations to take care of the kidneys:

Drink enough water. Drinking enough fluids is one of the best things you can do for kidney health, says Betts. Dehydration is one of the main causes of kidney stones, and severe dehydration can lead to long-term kidney damage.

The right amount of fluids is different for everyone, but for most people, drinking about two and a half liters of fluid is a good rule of thumb. If in doubt, ask your nutritionist or doctor how much water is right for you.

Eat more plant proteins. Focusing on consuming whole plant proteins instead of animal proteins is also beneficial for kidney health, says Betts. A more plant-based diet can help both prevent and slow the progression of kidney disease and reduce the risk of kidney stones. Just adding a few more servings of vegetables per week can make a big difference.

Manage your blood pressure. High blood pressure is one of the main causes of kidney disease, so it is important to control your blood pressure. Following a low-salt, heart-healthy diet and regular exercise are the best first steps to regulate blood pressure.