I often get asked by my kidney patients about various herbs and fruits and whether they will have any negative impact on their kidney disease.
In this article, I will explain “are giloy, grapefruit, and guava good or bad kidney disease?” and the pros and cons associated with it.
Is giloy good or bad for kidney disease?
Giloy is a herb that is also known as Guduchi in India. Giloy can be beneficial for kidney patients and can be consumed with minimal risk.
Benefits of consuming giloy for kidney patients
Giloy can benefit kidney patients by boosting their immunity. Giloy contains certain antioxidants which are responsible to strengthen the immune system and protect the cells of the kidneys from cellular damage.
Giloy can also aid the body in fighting bacterial illnesses that can spread to the kidney like urinary tract infections.
Giloy also contains alkaloids that can protect the kidneys against harmful toxins. Giloy can aid the kidneys by improving the blood flow to the kidneys.
The phytochemicals present in giloy can also help kidney patients with type 2 diabetes to manage their blood glucose levels. A study indicates that giloy can improve the release of insulin and reduce oxidative stress in the liver caused by diabetes.
Concerns while consuming giloy for kidney patients
Giloy is generally safe to consume for people suffering from kidney disease and it does not contain any nutrients that can be harmful to kidney patients. Therefore, giloy can be safely implemented in the diet of kidney patients.
However, it is always advisable to consult with your nephrologist before making any changes in your diet to be on the safe side.
Is grapefruit good or bad for kidney disease?
Grapefruit can be good for kidney patients in certain conditions. However, it may not be recommended for all kidney patients.
Grapefruit is rich in vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C. It also contains beta carotene and other minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Therefore, for kidney patients wanting to maintain an optimal level of vitamins and minerals the nutrient-rich grapefruit can be a healthy addition.
A study shows that the consumption of grapefruit is also associated with lowering LDL cholesterol in the body and can also be helpful in lowering high blood pressure. For kidney patients having to manage their diet for other illnesses such as hypertension, grapefruit can be beneficial in their condition.
Since grapefruit is also a good source of citrate, it can help people suffering from kidney stones to flush out the stones.
Concerns while eating grapefruit for kidney patients
Kidney patients suffering from CKD who need to moderate their intake of minerals such as potassium would not benefit by adding grapefruit in their diet since grapefruit is high in its potassium content. Therefore, CKD patients would be recommended to limit or avoid grapefruit and choose fruits that are low to moderate in their potassium content.
Other than that, eating grapefruit for kidney patients is considered safe and can be added to their diet with their doctor’s permission.
Is guava good or bad for kidney disease?
Guava is a nutrient-rich fruit. However, for people suffering from kidney disease, the consumption of guava may need to be moderated in some conditions.
Benefits of eating guava for kidney patients
For kidney patients suffering from digestive issues like constipation, guava can be an ideal choice because guava is rich in insoluble fiber which not only helps in the smooth transition of food in the digestive tract but also feeds the good bacteria in the small intestine therefore, improving overall digestive health.
Guava is also a low-calorie fruit which means it can be a healthy option for kidney patients looking to lose weight.
Guava is also a rich source of Vitamin A and other phytonutrients such as lutein and lycopene which are compounds that contain antioxidant properties which can aid the cells of the kidneys against oxidative stress and maintain overall optimum health.
Further, guava also has a sufficient amount of vitamins like vitamin B6, vitamin E, and vitamin K along with minerals like manganese, magnesium, and copper which are needed by the body for optimal functioning. Therefore, kidney patients will benefit from having a proper amount of vitamins and minerals without any deficiency.
Concerns while eating guava for kidney patients
There might be concerns for eating guava when it comes to people suffering from CKD and need to moderate their potassium levels since guava is rich in minerals and potassium being one of them.
For CKD patients, it is essential to not put any extra load on the kidneys, and therefore adding foods with high potassium might not be ideal.
Not all CKD patients have the same dietary limitations. Therefore, it is prudent to get personalized dietary recommendations from your nephrologist or renal dietitian that suits the requirements of your kidney disease.
Summary
Overall giloy is a healthy herb found in nature and does not cause any harm for kidney patients and can be included in the diet of a person suffering from kidney disease.
Grapefruit and Guava have similar nutritional properties, both being rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which can play a protective role for the kidneys and have a positive impact on the overall health of kidney patients.
However, guava and grapefruit are also rich in potassium which means some kidney patients suffering from CKD might need to limit or avoid it based on their specific condition.
