Kidney beans and kidney health

In the olden times, people believed that a particular body part was cured or made healthy by plants that resembled it. Years later, science has proved that this belief is not entirely baseless. Take kidney beans, for example.

Image Source: timeinc.com

The kidneys play a key part in a person’s overall well-being. Responsible for keeping the body clean and for maintaining homeostasis, they prevent people from being poisoned by their own waste. However, they may be damaged by factors like stress and practices like an imbalanced diet rich in fat and sodium.

Image Source: angsarap.files.wordpress.com

While there are many types of food that help nurture the kidneys, special interest is given to kidney beans. True to their name, they look like human kidneys in terms of shape and color. They also contain many nutrients that can enhance kidney health. For one, they contain very low levels of fat but plenty of soluble and insoluble fiber, making them great for maintaining low blood pressure and stable blood sugar levels. Kidney beans also contain low amounts of sodium, sugar, and cholesterol, but they are an excellent source of protein, magnesium, and potassium.

Image Source: amisvegetarian.com

Kidney beans are a great addition to a balanced diet as they help maintain healthy kidneys. Meanwhile, people with kidney disease must monitor their consumption of this legume. The protein it contains is helpful under normal circumstances, but too much of it may have adverse effects on the kidneys.

Dr. Paul Frymoyer is a licensed nephrologist. He provides advice valuable for healthy kidneys. Get more information about kidney health on this Facebook page.