“Is ginger good or bad for kidney disease?” is a question I often get asked by my kidney patients when they are concerned about the food they should eat and avoid for kidney disease. I will answer this question in detail so that kidney patients reading this get a broader perspective on whether ginger is good or bad for kidney disease.
Ginger has been part of the Indian diet for several centuries. Ginger is commonly used for cooking purposes but it can even be used in the diet of a person suffering from kidney disease such as CKD (chronic kidney disease) due to its rich nutritional properties.
The kidneys function throughout the day to excrete any impurities from the food out of our blood and to maintain proper mineral balance.
Overtime when a person loses kidney function due to inflammation such as CKD or for some other renal disease, foods such as ginger can be helpful.
Is ginger good for creatinine?
Creatinine is a waste product that is produced in the muscles due to the breakdown of a chemical compound known as creatine (an energy-producing molecule for the muscles).
The kidneys are responsible to excrete out the built-up levels of creatinine in the blood. This is why higher levels of creatinine indicate kidney disease.
Some of the body’s overall creatine is changed into creatinine every day and sent to the kidneys through the bloodstream. The kidneys eventually filter out the creatinine and excrete it through the urine.
Ginger contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which might help in protecting the kidneys and also in lowering the high creatinine levels in the blood. Of course, it was an experimental study in mice and we cannot directly extrapolate it to human beings. Ginger also contains diuretic properties which enhances the ability of the kidney to produce urine.
Is ginger good for kidney stones?
The kidneys are responsible to remove the built-up toxic wastes in the blood. Eating a nutrient-rich diet that supports and improves kidney health for renal patients is important.
Ginger is rich in minerals and vitamins such as magnesium and vitamin C. Consuming ginger in the form of ginger tea can also be helpful for people suffering from kidney stones as it might aid in dissolving the built up stones to pass out through the urine.
Due to the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger, drinking ginger tea can have a healthy effect on the functioning of kidneys, as it can help the kidneys to protect against any bacterial infections.
Consuming ginger is also helpful in neutralizing the built-up free radicals in the kidney cells, These free radicals may damage the tissues and cells involving the kidneys.
If the diet of a kidney disease patient is low in antioxidants, the body might find it harder to protect against the damage caused by free radicals.
Hence eating ginger might have a positive impact on the kidney functions of kidney patients as it is rich in anti-oxidants and shields the kidneys against oxidative stress.
Is ginger good for kidney transplant patients?
Eating a clean and nutritious diet plays an important role in keeping all the organs including the kidney functioning efficiently. A healthy diet reduces any potential risks for kidney diseases caused through inflammation or through poor dietary choices.
For a person who has had a kidney transplant, following a nutrition-dense diet is vital to support optimal kidney function to protect any further damage or decline in the kidneys.
While ginger in its natural form is safe to add to the diet of a kidney transplant patient, however, there are studies that indicate that ginger supplements might alter the absorption of tacrolimus (an immunosuppressive drug given to transplant patients). While small amounts of ginger are unlikely to cause any significant issues, large amounts of ginger may be better avoided.
Drinking ginger tea can be helpful for a kidney transplant patient to fight off any nausea and vomiting occurring from the side effects of the medications.
In general, ginger extracts have been indicated to be helpful in protecting against kidney diseases occurring through diabetes complications, as it helps the kidneys in providing a protective role and delaying any onset of kidney diseases.
As mentioned above, ginger is packed with antioxidants which are known to be helpful for kidney disease.
For a kidney transplant patient, following a nutritious diet that supports kidney function is important in order to make sure that kidneys have everything they need to function optimally going forward in the future.
Can ginger be bad for kidneys?
Ginger is generally not a problem for the kidneys and does not pose any serious risk, however, it’s better to discuss with your doctor or nutritionist whenever adding something new to your diet especially for kidney patients.
It is essential that you are well informed about the safety of what you are consuming in your meals.
Ginger is anti-coagulant in nature, therefore people under blood-thinning medications might be at risk for bleeding or bruising.
Ginger is also helpful in lowering blood pressure and blood sugars which is one of the causes to develop chronic kidney disease, hence it’s important to evaluate any possible risks with your doctor before going on a ginger supplementation.
Other than that eating ginger in large amounts might result in mouth irritation, heartburn, gas, digestive issues, etc.
Consuming ginger tea in excess could also result in an upset stomach because ginger while is a healthy spice, should not be eaten in large amounts to avoid any gastric discomfort.
Summary
The benefits of eating ginger are wide-ranging. Ginger can be helpful in differing health problems from digestive issues to kidney diseases.
Including nutritious spices such as ginger in your meals is an excellent way to increase anti-inflammatory and antioxidant content in your body.
Using spices like ginger also adds extra flavor to the meals which mean you don’t need to add any excess salt or any other powders to your foods, which allows the kidney to function optimally especially for a kidney disease patient.
Ginger is easy to incorporate with fish and chicken marinades. It can also be included in smoothie bowls, fruit salads, or be added to your tea.
It is always advisable to be prudent and treat ginger like a herb/spice and not to consume too much of it as anything in excess is not good for the body.