Smoothy Slim
Photo by Juliano  Ferreira Pexels Logo Photo: Juliano Ferreira

What drinks cleanse the kidneys?

What is the best drink to flush your kidneys? Water is the best thing to drink for healthy kidneys. It's usually recommended that adults drink eight glasses of water per day.

What happens if you drink too much vegetable juice?
What happens if you drink too much vegetable juice?

May harm your kidneys The amount of oxalates you typically consume from whole vegetables in a balanced diet isn't harmful. However, green juices...

Read More »
What laser is best for sagging skin?
What laser is best for sagging skin?

When it comes to the best laser skin tightening treatment, Thermage and IPL are both excellent options that can provide for firmer, younger looking...

Read More »
Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab
Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

A kidney cleanse is a food, product, or process that is said to help remove toxins from the kidneys and prevent kidney stones. Although cleanses may have some health benefits, no scientific evidence supports the idea that eating certain foods and taking specific vitamins improves kidney health. Instead, you may wish to take other sensible steps before or even in place of a cleanse. This article will explain what a kidney cleanse is and what it is purported to do.

What Is a Kidney Cleanse?

Proponents say a kidney cleanse—typically a food, specialized diet, or product—can help detoxify the kidneys. The idea is to promote healthy kidneys and prevent kidney stones. Kidney cleanses are also touted to help keep blood pressure in check, improve how the urinary tract and bladder function, boost immunity, and clear toxins from the body. In general, kidneys don't require any special "cleaning." Your kidneys should function just fine if you drink enough water and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Males should drink 13 cups of water each day, and females should drink 9. Most adults should eat 2 1/2 to 3 cups of fruits and vegetables, though this varies by age and sex. A poor diet, exposure to toxins, and chronic stress can impair kidney health. In this case, a kidney cleanse may appeal to you.

1:56 Click Play to Learn How to Do a Natural Kidney Cleanse

This video has been medically reviewed by Meredith Bull, ND.

But proceed carefully. A kidney cleanse might offer some health benefits, not necessarily related to the kidneys at all. You may even swear that you "feel better." There is no scientific evidence, however, that a cleanse improves kidney health or prevents kidney stones and infection. Proceed Carefully Loading up on fruits, vegetables, and vitamins certainly can't hurt you. But will it improve your kidney health? The jury is still out.

Role of the Kidneys

The kidneys are bean shaped organs located under the rib cage in your lower back. Their job is to clear waste from your body. Every day, your kidneys remove about 2 quarts of excess water and waste products from about 200 quarts of blood. Kidneys also release three important hormones: erythropoietin (which stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells), renin (which regulates blood pressure), and calcitriol (the active form of vitamin D). Calcitriol also helps maintain calcium for bones and chemical balance in the body. Kidney stones can develop when your urine contains a lot of substances that can form crystals, such as calcium, uric acid, and oxalate. This is one of the problems that a kidney cleanse is purported to address.

Herbal Kidney Cleanse

Can you drive after one mojito?
Can you drive after one mojito?

While one to two drinks will usually keep you below the legal limit, any amount of alcohol CAN impact your ability to drive safely, and in ways you...

Read More »
What snack has the most potassium?
What snack has the most potassium?

But if you're looking for a top source of potassium that's easy to snack on anytime of day, look no farther than delectable, crispy banana chips....

Read More »
Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab
Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Talk to your healthcare provider before taking herbs to cleanse your kidneys, especially if you have kidney stones or other urinary tract problems. A dietitian can also give you information about how these herbs might affect your health. Herbal kidney cleanses are typically given as a tea consumed two or three times a day. Often, they are recommended in addition to a food-based kidney cleanse.

Some herbal ingredients that are claimed to cleanse the kidneys include:

Dandelion tea, red clover, goldenrod, juniper, marshmallow root, burdock root, and nettles. These herbs may act as diuretics, which helps flush out the kidneys and remove excess waste. These herbs may act as diuretics, which helps flush out the kidneys and remove excess waste. Turmeric. This herb is thought to reduce urea, prevent inflammation in the kidneys, and help expel waste. This herb is thought to reduce urea, prevent inflammation in the kidneys, and help expel waste. Parsley contains antioxidants, which are thought to reduce inflammation in the kidneys.

Foods for Kidney Cleanse

Food-based kidney cleanses differ in what you eat and for how long. In general, however, these cleanses direct you to eat a restricted diet of only certain foods for a few days. These diets may consist of juices, smoothies, or a list of specific foods. Again, you should consult your healthcare provider or a dietitian to make sure it is safe for you to follow one of these cleanses.

Some kidney cleanses emphasize:

Grapes. These fruits contain a compound called resveratrol, which is believed to reduce inflammation in the kidneys. These fruits contain a compound called resveratrol, which is believed to reduce inflammation in the kidneys. Beet juice is thought to improve blood flow to the kidneys. is thought to improve blood flow to the kidneys. Watermelon and lemon juice. Fruits that contain citric acid are believed to help prevent kidney stones. Citric acid binds to calcium, which prevents the growth of calcium crystals. Fruits that contain citric acid are believed to help prevent kidney stones. Citric acid binds to calcium, which prevents the growth of calcium crystals. Cranberry juice. There is limited evidence that cranberries may help prevent urinary tract infections. There is limited evidence that cranberries may help prevent urinary tract infections. Pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds are thought to prevent the accumulation of uric acid, one of the compounds that cause kidney stones. Pumpkin seeds are thought to prevent the accumulation of uric acid, one of the compounds that cause kidney stones. Ginger. Proponents believe ginger can dissolve kidney stones and prevent them from forming.

Vitamins for Kidney Cleanse

What does one glass of pineapple juice a day do?
What does one glass of pineapple juice a day do?

Pineapple juice is rich in antioxidants, which help protect your body from damage and disease. It also contains bromelain, a group of enzymes that...

Read More »
What is the healthiest daily routine?
What is the healthiest daily routine?

30 daily routines of healthy, productive people that are easy to... 30 daily routines that are easy to adopt. Not all of these will be your cup of...

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Some proponents recommend incorporating the following vitamins and minerals into a kidney cleanse. In many cases, a kidney cleanse will involve dietary restrictions along with vitamin supplementation.

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B6

Magnesium

Possible Concerns

Talk with your healthcare provider if you want to take a truly natural approach to improve your kidney health. Or consider consulting a qualified integrative healthcare professional. While kidney cleanse proponents may have good intentions, their ideas are not supported by scientific data. This stance is consistent with how the FDA treats supplements; it doesn't regulate them, either. These realities should make it obvious: Consumers must be careful about the products they consume based on the labels they read. Pregnant or nursing women, children, and people with kidney disease should not undertake a kidney cleanse. Talk with your primary care provider before you take a kidney supplement or undergo a kidney cleanse.

Caring for Your Kidneys

Some methods to improve kidney health are supported by science. You may wish to consider them before trying a kidney cleanse:

Avoid smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine.

Maintain normal blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Keep your cholesterol under control.

Drink enough water and other fluids.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Although there is no evidence that a kidney cleanse can help prevent kidney stones, you may reduce your risk by drinking enough fluids and cutting back on sodium. People with a history of kidney stones may want to avoid foods rich in oxalic acid, such as chocolate, okra, sweet potatoes, sesame seeds, greens, nuts, and spinach. Avoid Rich Foods One of the easiest steps you can take to prevent kidney stones is to avoid rich foods. Some research shows that a high intake of calcium through foods may decrease the risk of developing kidney stones, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Ironically, taking calcium in supplement form may do just the opposite: It could increase the risk.

Summary

The goal of a kidney cleanse is to detoxify the kidneys to promote healthy kidneys and prevent kidney stones. Herbs, vitamins and healthy foods often are part of the regimen. In the end, a kidney cleanse won't hurt you, but there's no evidence that they improve kidney health, either. General good-for-your-health measures like drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy diet, and managing your blood pressure are the best ways to keep your kidneys functioning well.

How painful is CO2 laser?
How painful is CO2 laser?

8. Does Fractional CO2 Laser Hurt? Most patients would find the pain minimal and often describe the sensation similar to prickling. However, since...

Read More »
What happens when you start eating eggs everyday?
What happens when you start eating eggs everyday?

Eating eggs leads to elevated levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as the “good” cholesterol. People who have higher HDL levels...

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

Contains a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favored beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »
What organ produces potassium?
What organ produces potassium?

Healthy kidneys are often enough to regulate body potassium.

Read More »
Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks
Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
What vitamins to take if you test positive for COVID?
What vitamins to take if you test positive for COVID?

Because COVID-19 comes with cold and flu-like symptoms, Vitamins B, C and D, as well as zinc may be helpful in boosting your immune system and...

Read More »