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Kidney Cleanse: Health Benefits & 5 Ways To Detox Your Kidneys 2024
Updated on
- Written by Paige Anderson, CRDH
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Maya Frankfurt, PhD
There are many resources and products that claim to be able to cleanse your kidneys. But can a kidney cleanse meaningfully improve your kidney health?
Kidneys control your blood pressure, regulate levels of specific substances in your blood, and balance fluid levels in your body. Most importantly, they filter waste products from the blood and flush them out of the body in your urine.
Kidney cleanses frequently can’t deliver on their promises to improve kidney function or reverse kidney problems. In some cases, a kidney cleanse program may actually do more harm than good[1].
There are many simple habits and lifestyle changes you can do to promote kidney health!
Kidney Cleanse
There is no meaningful way to remove toxins from your body using a cleanse. That’s what your liver and kidneys do!
You can help your cleansing organs function their best with a few simple lifestyle changes.
- Eat a balanced diet and avoid processed foods.
- Try to get enough exercise.
- Don’t smoke.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Control high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Reduce your sodium intake.
- If you’re prone to kidney stones, eat a healthy diet that prevents kidney stone formation.
Although most kidney cleanses don’t do what they claim, some foods may help repair kidneys with key nutrients and antioxidants.
What Is A Kidney Cleanse?
Kidney cleanses claim to clean excess waste products out of the “filter” of your kidneys. They aim to improve kidney health with certain foods or a special kidney cleanse drink, and frequently involve fasting for a time.
There is virtually no evidence to support the concept of cleansing your kidneys in this way, but many of the foods and beverages frequently included in a kidney cleanse diet may have health benefits including improved kidney function.
Truly supporting your organs takes commitment to a healthy lifestyle that reduces excess strain on those organs over time so they can heal from previous damage.
Before considering a kidney cleanse, you should consult with a healthcare provider to rule out potential harm and be sure the kidney cleanse plan is safe.
If you suffer from chronic kidney disease, kidney stones, or other health issues, your kidney doctor will be the ultimate authority on how to manage your symptoms and keep your kidneys in the best possible shape.
Benefits Of Doing A Kidney Cleanse
Although you can find many plans and products online that claim to cleanse your kidneys, there is almost no scientific evidence that they work. In fact, there have been documented cases[2] of acute kidney failure as a direct result of a supposed juice cleanse that overloaded the patient’s kidneys with oxalic acid.
Are there any benefits of a kidney cleanse? There could be! Most kidney cleanses include foods that may help repair kidneys.
The key is not to go overboard with any one thing. Even drinking excess water, in extreme cases, can throw off your electrolyte balance and cause a toxicity reaction[3]
Your best bet for preventing kidney damage, avoiding kidney dysfunction, and having healthy kidneys is a slow and steady approach to wellness.
How To Do A Kidney Cleanse?
While it’s not technically possible to cleanse your kidneys like an air conditioner filter, some commonly recommended kidney cleanse foods can support good kidney function and keep your kidneys healthy.
If you choose to incorporate kidney cleanse juice, foods, or supplements into your diet, be sure to talk to your doctor first and don’t over consume any specific foods or drinks, which could cause harm.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar factors heavily into many wellness regimens including natural kidney cleanse plans. Some sources even claim that it can dissolve kidney stones. When it comes to apple cider vinegar for kidney stones, many claims may be overblown.
However, there is some developing research[4] that indicates it may help reduce urinary tract infection incidence by killing the specific types of bacteria that frequently cause urinary tract infections.
It may also prevent oxidative stress[5] on the kidneys, although it has only been studied in rats so far.
Kidney Beans And Beans In General
If you’ve ever suffered from kidney stones, you probably want to do anything it takes to avoid a repeat experience. To prevent kidney stones, your doctor may recommend a plant-based diet and avoiding excess animal protein.
Although kidney beans specifically don’t offer a magic weapon for healthy kidneys, beans of all types[6] are a great source of plant-based proteins and fiber, both of which can prevent excess strain on the kidneys and help control blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for kidney disease.
Lemon Juice
Many kidney cleanses include fresh lemon juice in smoothies or as part of a kidney tonic. While they won’t provide a miracle, lemons are a great food for kidney support!
Like all citrus, lemons are full of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that supports white blood cells and may enhance repair in your kidney cells.
They also contain citrate, which may help decrease kidney stone formation in people who struggle with kidney stones.
Celery
Celery is another common ingredient in kidney cleanses that does great work for your kidneys. Celery is full of vitamins and micronutrients that support full-body wellness, which reduces strain on the kidneys.
Celery also has diuretic properties that may help flush excess fluid out of your system, as well as phytonutrients that boost cardiovascular health, which in turn reduces strain on the kidneys.
Bananas
Bananas can help soften hardening blood vessels and control high blood pressure, both of which are great for your kidneys.
However, people who have chronic kidney disease may need to be especially careful about overdoing it with bananas. Bananas are high in potassium and excess potassium can exacerbate certain kidney diseases, so be sure to consult with your physician about how much potassium you should consume.
Other Tips For Healthy Kidneys
Choose Foods That Cleanse The Kidney
You don’t have to follow a heavily restricted diet to keep your kidneys healthy. There are plenty of evidence-based dietary recommendations[7] for healthy kidneys which are easy to incorporate into a sustainably healthy lifestyle.
Reduce Sodium Intake
One of the biggest jobs your kidneys do is to keep your fluids and electrolytes balanced. Specifically, they keep sodium levels in your blood at healthy levels.
Excess salt in your diet[8] can increase your blood pressure, make you more prone to dehydration, and strain your kidneys.
Keep Your Blood Pressure Under Control
High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for kidney problems. Keeping your blood pressure under control by avoiding chronic stress, getting enough physical activity, decreasing your salt intake, and getting plenty of fiber is a great start to boosting kidney health.
If you struggle with high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about how to keep it under control.
Drink Plenty Of Water
When it comes to how to get rid of kidney stones, staying hydrated is the best way to help your body flush them out as quickly as possible. Good hydration is also the best way to prevent kidney stones from coming back!
Water improves health throughout your urinary tract by keeping urine appropriately diluted and preventing excess buildup of compounds like uric acid and calcium oxalate.
Get Adequate Exercise
Want a way to keep your organs healthy? Exercise! Regular physical activity is key to controlling your body weight and alleviating diseases like diabetes, which is a major risk factor for kidney problems.
Moving your body also helps improve cardiovascular health, reduce stress, and generally keeps things in good working order.
Kidney Cleanse: Precautions
Cleanses and detox diets of all kinds tend to involve fasting, crash diets, or severely restricted eating for several days. These practices can put you at risk for dehydration, fainting, electrolyte imbalances, and even serious medical complications.
Another major problem with kidney cleanses is that they tend to overdose the body with huge servings of a few select foods and drinks. As mentioned above, some kidney cleanses can actively hurt your kidneys and even cause kidney failure.
Conclusion
There is no miracle cure to cleanse your body of toxins. Your liver and kidneys do an amazing job of it on their own, and have the ability to repair themselves as they do their work.
Provided you don’t overwork them!
Reducing stress on your kidneys is all you need to do to keep them working their best. Avoid eating too much processed food, don’t smoke, and take it easy with the alcohol.
With a balanced diet, adequate physical activity, and plenty of water, your kidneys should have all the support they need without putting yourself through the discomfort of a juice cleanse.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no reliable scientific evidence to support the claims of detox products or diets.
Absolutely. Kidney cleanses can overload your system with certain compounds, upset the chemical balance of your blood, and lead to dehydration. In some cases, they have even caused kidney failure. Common ingredients included in many “detoxifying” herbal teas may also cause toxicity reactions and illness.
Drink plenty of water, get enough exercise, avoid high blood pressure and diabetes, don’t smoke, avoid excess salt, and eat a balanced, kidney-friendly diet.
+ 8 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- NCCIH. (2015). ‘Detoxes’ and ‘Cleanses’: What You Need To Know. [online] Available at: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/detoxes-and-cleanses-what-you-need-to-know.
- Getting, J.E., Gregoire, J.R., Phul, A.E. and Kasten, M.J. (2013). Oxalate Nephropathy Due to ‘Juicing’: Case Report and Review. [online] 126(9), pp.768–772. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.03.019.
- Rangan, G.K., Nilofar Dorani, Zhang, M.M., Abu-Zarour, L., Ho Ching Lau, Munt, A., Chandra, A.N., Sayanthooran Saravanabavan, Rangan, A., Zhang, J.Q.J., Howell, M. and Wong, A. (2021). Clinical characteristics and outcomes of hyponatraemia associated with oral water intake in adults: a systematic review. [online] 11(12), pp.e046539–e046539. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046539.
- Darshna Yagnik, Serafin, V. and Shah, A. (2018). Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression. [online] 8(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-18618-x.
- F.O. Asejeje, Ighodaro, O.M., Gbolahan Iyiola Asejeje and A.M. Adeosun (2020). Protective role of apple cider vinegar (APCV) in CCl4-induced renal damage in wistar rats. [online] 8, pp.100063–100063. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metop.2020.100063.
- Yin, L., Dong, X., Liao, W., Liu, X., Zheng, Z., Liu, D., Wang, C. and Liu, Z. (2023). Relationships of beans intake with chronic kidney disease in rural adults: A large-scale cross-sectional study. [online] 10. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1117517.
- and, D. (2023). Eating Right for Chronic Kidney Disease. [online] National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/eating-nutrition.
- McMahon, E., Campbell, K.L., Bauer, J., Mudge, D.W. and Kelly, J.T. (2021). Altered dietary salt intake for people with chronic kidney disease. [online] 2021(6). doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd010070.pub3.
Written by:
Paige Anderson, CRDH
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
