The kidneys are one of the crucial organs in the body and we should therefore make sure you maintain their optimal health and functioning. When it comes to their role in the body, they are in charge and participate in numerous processes.
Some of them are filtering the blood, removing toxins, producing hormones, absorbing minerals, producing urine, neutralizing acid, and numerous others. Failing to take proper care of them can worsen their health and trigger a long list of health problems.
With this in mind, this article will present the ten worst everyday habits that contribute to poor kidney health.
10 Habits that may Be Harming Your Kidneys
- Excessive use of alcohol
Drinking a bottle of beer or a glass of wine from time to time is not bad (and it can actually be beneficial!); however, overindulging in alcohol too often puts a lot of burden on the kidneys and as a result, they need to work additionally to make sure toxins are filtered and expelled properly.
- Usage of painkillers
Relying on painkillers too much to resolve pain can be detrimental for the kidneys. Namely, this happens because of the pressure they put on the kidneys and the damage that they trigger. When possible, try to resolve your health problems with natural remedies.
- Too much caffeine
High amount of caffeine in the body is known to elevate the blood pressure, stress the kidneys, and over time, cause bigger damage.
- Insufficient sleep
Getting sufficient hours of sleep and rest is pivotal so that the body and brain can rest and recharge. When you deprive the body of sleep, you can lead to kidney issues, excessive stress, and bone problems.
- Too much animal protein
Following a diet abundant in red meat may contribute to the excessive buildup of processed protein in the body and as a result, the metabolic load on the kidneys will increase. Consequently, the kidneys start to overwork and when this goes on for a prolonged period of time, the kidneys may be damaged and their functioning will become poorer.
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Not getting enough vitamins and minerals from your diet may trigger a long list of health complications, including kidney stones and kidney illness. So, make sure you enrich your diet with fruits, veggies, and homemade meals.
- Poorly-hydrated body
When you do not drink enough water, you prevent the kidneys from filtering blood and removing waste from the body. Therefore, make sure you opt for 8 glasses of water per day or more.
- Excessive salt consumption
High levels of salt in your diet can increase your blood pressure and put too much stress on the kidneys. Though salt is a crucial mineral for our health, when consumed excessively, it can be problematic.
- Excessive sugar consumption
Similarly to salt, too much sugar will also put a lot of pressure on the kidneys.
- You hold it in a lot
Constantly resisting the urge for urination due to being busy in the moment is a common mistake. This habit is known to pressure the kidneys a lot and thus, elevate the risk of kidney stones, incontinence, kidney failure, and kidney disease.
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