Whenever my kidney patients need to modify their diet according to the needs of their kidney disease they often have many questions about what kind of foods to include and avoid.
In this article, I will explain “are broccoli, beetroot, and banana good or bad for kidney disease?” plus the benefits and risks that come with these food items.
Is broccoli good or bad for kidney disease?
Broccoli can be part of a kidney diet in certain kidney diseases. However, kidney patients who are recommended to restrict potassium might not benefit from including broccoli in their diet.
Broccoli a nutrient-dense vegetable
Broccoli comes packed with various nutrients which are beneficial for people suffering from kidney disease. Broccoli is rich in Vitamin C and minerals like iron and manganese.
Broccoli is also rich in insoluble fiber which makes it an ideal choice for kidney patients that are also suffering from digestive issues.
Broccoli can be eaten by certain CKD patients
Broccoli is low in its phosphorus content which is one of the minerals that certain CKD patients are recommended to keep at a minimum.
Broccoli is also rich in chromium, which is helpful in managing blood glucose levels.
For a CKD patient who is also suffering from type 2 diabetes, the addition of broccoli to their diet can be beneficial.
Broccoli may not be suitable for all kidney patients
Broccoli is naturally rich in its potassium content which might not be suitable for all kidney patients.
Because in certain kidney diseases the person may be recommended by their doctor to limit their potassium content and since broccoli is higher in potassium the person may need to monitor the amount of broccoli intake.
Is beetroot good or bad for kidney disease?
Beetroot is generally good for kidney disease patients. However, in some kidney diseases, it is prudent to check with a healthcare professional before including beetroot in the diet.
Beetroot contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Beetroot is rich in betalain which is a phytonutrient found in plants. The betalain in beetroot is the nutrient that contains its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Inflammation is one of the reasons that can lead to kidney disease like nephritis. These nutrients in beetroot play a protective role in protecting the cells of the kidneys from inflammation and cellular damage and thus can be part of a healthy kidney diet.
It is helpful in lowering high blood pressure
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes that lead to kidney disease. For many kidney patients, along with their renal condition, their blood pressure needs to be carefully managed as well.
Beetroot is rich in nitrates, which is a nutrient that gets converted in the body into something called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps the body in dilating the blood vessels, thus allowing more blood flow which in turn lowers high blood pressure.
Beetroot may not be beneficial for all CKD patients
Due to the rich content of potassium in beetroot, certain CKD patients who need to avoid or limit their potassium intake would need to be mindful about the amount of beetroot they include in their diet.
It is recommended to consult with a renal dietitian and assess your dietary needs according to your kidney condition.
Beetroot may be harmful to kidney stones and high uric acid patients
Beetroots are high in their oxalate content which is one of the factors that contributes to the formation of kidney stones. Therefore, if a person is already suffering from kidney stones, it is advisable to check with your doctor first before drinking beet juice.
The oxalate that is present in beetroot may also increase the level of uric acid in the blood. Hence, for a kidney disease patient who is needed to keep his uric acid level lower, Beetroot might not be ideal in this case.
Is banana good or bad for kidney disease?
Banana in general has many nutritional properties. However, when it comes to kidney disease, it may not be ideal for all kidney patients.
Bananas might not be a good choice for all CKD patients
Banana is rich in potassium, and many other minerals which are not ideal for all CKD patients as they may be advised to keep their intake for certain minerals like potassium and phosphorus low to avoid putting any extra load on the kidneys.
Therefore it is advisable to keep your nephrologist or dietitian in the loop before adding bananas to your kidney diet.
Bananas can be helpful in kidney stone prevention
While nutrients like potassium and magnesium might not be ideal for CKD patients, these nutrients are helpful in preventing the formation of a kidney stone.
Banana is also helpful in aiding the body with managing its water balance which might help kidney patients suffering from stones.
Summary
Broccoli is low in its phosphorus content, which makes it a good choice to include in a kidney diet.
However, broccoli is also a rich source of potassium, hence kidney patients who are recommended to keep their potassium levels at the minimum might not benefit from the inclusion of broccoli in their kidney diet.
Beetroot is nutritionally rich because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help the kidney cells in protecting from inflammation and oxidative stress.
However, since beetroot is also rich in potassium, it may not be suitable for all kidney patients.
Similar to broccoli and beetroot, banana is also high in its potassium, and therefore, it is advisable to consult your nephrologist before including these foods especially if your kidney disease requires you to keep your potassium intake at a minimum.
