10 common habits that damage your kidneys

10 common habits that damage your kidneys

The kidneys are vital organs that are an integral part of the urinary system and fulfill many important functions. Located under the ribs, at the back of the abdomen, they are responsible for filtering the blood to absorb the minerals needed by the body and evacuating waste through the urethra.

10 common habits that damage your kidneys

American entrepreneur-writer Jim Rohn wrote, "Take care of your body, this is the only permanent place you are called to live." Unfortunately, many people prefer to succumb to their charms and be guided by automatisms rather than making thoughtful decisions on a daily basis. As a result, they pay the price when it's too late to act. In this article, we will focus on 9 common habits that are bad for your body, especially the kidneys…

The kidneys are vital organs that are an integral part of the urinary system and fulfill many important functions. Located under the ribs, at the back of the abdomen, they are responsible for filtering the blood to absorb the minerals needed by the body and evacuating waste through the urinary tract. In addition, the kidneys secrete hormones that are important for regulating blood pressure required for oxygen circulation in the body and producing red blood cells.

9 habits that damage the kidneys

Some things we do regularly have a big impact on our kidneys. According to an article published by the National Kidney Foundation, here are 9 habits that damage the kidneys in the long term:

1. Using regular pain medication
Pain medications are drugs that aim to relieve pain. Some are used over the counter and regularly to alleviate any ailments. However, scientists point out that regular use of this type of drug can affect the functioning of the kidneys.

2. Too much salt consumption
Too much salt can have serious health consequences. People consume twice as much salt as they need, according to WHO. However, excess salt causes about 2.5 million deaths worldwide each year. As a matter of fact, salt participates in the increase of blood pressure and weakens the kidneys.

3. Processed food consumption
The food industry does not hesitate to use sodium to increase the taste of the products sold. In addition, processed foods contain additives such as phosphorus that extend their shelf life. Unfortunately, all these ingredients have negative health consequences and can lead to kidney disease.

4. Not drinking enough water
Like the WHO recommendations, the Kidney Foundation recommends drinking around 1.5 liters of water a day. As a matter of fact, good hydration helps the kidneys perform the purifying function to eliminate waste through the urinary tract. What's more, one study reports that water helps lower blood pressure and reduces kidney failure.