Detox diet, detox juice, detox tea –the world of health and wellness has been bombarded with ‘detox’ over the past few years now and it doesn’t seem like it is going away anytime soon. If you happen to be someone fairly new to this term, you have arrived at the right place!
The first thing that leaps to mind with the word “detox” is definitely “weight loss.” Most detox products in the market claim a ‘speedy and easy weight loss solution’ with no extra effort needed. But in actuality, they are no more than laxatives in disguise. It is because of such claims that ‘detox diet’ has gained such a controversial reputation over the years, despite its popularity. But in all fairness, detoxing encompasses so much more—it involves cleansing your body from harmful substances or toxins and supporting it with nutrients that help it perform the natural process of eliminating harmful waste.
Kidneys: Our Natural Detox System
When it comes to natural detox, our kidneys are our body’s natural detoxifier. Apart from balancing electrolytes and creating hormones, their main role is to help get rid of excess waste and harmful substances from our body, making sure our overall system functions efficiently. While a healthy diet and consuming sufficient water are usually enough to ensure healthy kidneys, a poor and unhealthy diet often hinders the healthy functioning of our kidneys. Fortunately, certain foods, herbs, and supplements can help support strong kidneys.
From getting proper hydration to refreshing herbal teas, here are some simple tips to cleanse or detox your kidneys and help keep them strong and healthy:
1. Drink Enough Water
Our body is made up of 60% water. From digesting food to absorbing nutrients to keeping the skin healthy, it requires a good amount of water to perform a wide range of bodily functions for our survival. Our kidney, in particular, needs enough water to flush out any excess waste materials or toxins in the form of urine. When we do not drink enough water, our urine volume is low which may lead to kidney dysfunction, such as kidney stones development.
It is crucial to drink plenty of water so that the kidney can efficiently flush out waste materials from our body, especially during a kidney cleanse. The recommended daily intake of water or fluids is roughly 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
2. Drink Kidney-Cleansing Teas
One effective solution when regard to supporting healthy kidney detox is by drinking kidney-cleansing teas. It is a great way to enjoy the refreshing goodness of a cup of tea and improve your kidney health at the same time. Daily Detox Tea by Preserva Wellness is one such tea with an invigorating taste and richness that helps cleanse your kidneys and supports a healthy renal function. It is high in antioxidants as it contains a unique blend of potent traditional herbs and spices, such as 95% Curcumin, Assam Green Tea, Tulsi, Ashwagandha, Fenugreek, Lemon fruit, Fennel and Ginger, which are known for their incredible kidney-benefitting properties.
You can add this tea to your daily routine not just for kidney cleansing but also to improve digestion and reducing the risk of health complication such as fatty liver disease.
3. Reduce Sodium Intake
Our body needs sodium (salt) to help maintain the right balance of fluids in our body and to transmit nerve impulses, amongst others. But as with most things in life, too much of it can be a problem. High blood pressure can occur when one consumes too much sodium, which can further increase the risk of kidney failure, heart disease, and stroke. Therefore, it is vital to limit our sodium intake to ensure we do not hinder the proper functioning of our kidneys and overall health.
As per the NIDDK, it is advised that one should limit their sodium intake to not more than 2,300 mg a day to lower the risk of chronic kidney disease. Consuming fewer processed foods and opting for low-sodium or sodium-free foods are great ways to reduce sodium intake.
4. Fresh Fruits
When it comes to supporting kidney health, one cannot go wrong with fresh fruits. Fruits, such as cherries, cranberries, grapes, etc, have been praised for their incredible kidney health benefits. Cherries and cranberries, in particular, are a rich source of antioxidants that are beneficial in keeping away diseases, including symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). Grapes, on the other hand, contains resveratrol, which is a beneficial plant compound known to have potential benefits in lowering kidney inflammation (according to an animal study done on rats with polycystic kidney disease).
Blend them into healthy smoothies, add them to your salads or oatmeals, or simply snack on them –there are various ways you can add these nutritious fruits to your daily diet to help cleanse your kidney and promote a healthy renal function.
5. Fruit Juices
Juices made from lemon, orange, and melon are especially beneficial for kidney health due to their rich citric acid (citrate) content. Citrate or citric acid from these fruits is known to help prevent kidney stone formation by binding with calcium in the urine. This suppresses the growth of calcium crystals, which can lead to kidney stones. In this way, these fruit juices, along with their beneficial nutrient content, supports efficient kidney cleanse and help maintain kidney health naturally.
Drinking a cup of fresh juice daily will not only nourish your health but can also contribute to your daily recommended fluid intake, which is essential for a healthy kidney cleanse.
6. Supplement with supportive nutrients
Supplementing your diet with nutritious kidney-friendly supplements is another great way to support kidney health, especially for kidney detox. A regular diet may not always suffice your nutritional needs, especially when it comes to supporting healthy kidney function. That is why supplements such as Preserva’s Nephrogold Tablets are here to fill the gap. Uniquely formulated using powerful Ayurvedic herbs, such as Turmeric, Coriander, Gokhru, Varuna, Bhumiamla, Motha, to name a few, the tablets act as a tonic for the liver while naturally supporting healthy kidney-cleansing function. In addition to this, it also helps prevent the formation of kidney stones, prevent Urinary Tract Infections and improve the functioning of the kidneys.
The Takeaway
Maintaining kidney health is crucial to our overall health and general well-being. By keeping our kidneys clean, we can keep them healthy. Healthy kidneys filter and expel waste adequately and produce hormones to help your body function properly. Try slowly incorporating some of the suggestions mentioned above if you are looking to help your kidneys cleanse your body.