Don’t get me wrong – there are many plant-based foods that improve the health of your kidneys, but watermelon is the best (and least talked of).
Watermelon and Kidneys
Watermelon is an excellent natural diuretic, meaning that it helps increase urine flow, but doesn’t strain the kidneys (unlike alcohol and caffeine).
Most people with kidney disease also have high blood pressure. High blood pressure can actually make the state of your kidneys worse, and can lead to kidney failure. Watermelon contains a compound called citrulline, which relaxes and dilates blood vessels and helps lower high blood pressure. In turn, this helps ease strain on the kidneys, improving their health.
Watermelon also contains a little something called lycopene, which improves blood flow via vasodilation (relaxation of blood pressure) – how cool is that?
That’s not the only thing this fruit does in regards to kidney detox. It actually helps the liver process ammonia (waste product from protein digestion), which, again, eases kidney strain while getting rid of excess fluids and sodium retention.
Watermelon and Cancer
Watermelon is very alkaline. It is one of the most alkaline forming fruits on the planet. Eating plenty of alkaline-forming foods helps reduce your risk of developing disease and illness caused by a meat, eggs and dairy-heavy diet (aka. acid-forming diet). With more alkalinity, you reduce your risk of developing cancer later in life.
It contains a host of vitamin C, which protects from free-radical DNA damage and lycopene helps reduce inflammation and neutralize free radicals.
Ginger and Kidneys
Ginger helps activate antioxidant pathways, and provides significant protection to our kidneys.
This root also contains a compound called gingerol, which is an incredibly potent antioxidant. It helps draw toxins out of the kidney area, and increases blood circulation in that area, helping to dissolve hard masses like kidney stones.
Ginger and Cancer
Last but not least, ginger contains both antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties. Gingerols in ginger are anti-inflammatories that inhibit the effects of different molecular factors that switch on certain cancer genes (like those of the ovaries and prostate). It has also been found to induce apoptosis in cancer cells (apoptosis is cell death – ginger targets cancerous cells but leaves healthy cells alone!).
Now for the recipe!
Ingredients:
– 5 cups fresh watermelon (plus 1 cup rind if the melon is organic and not waxed – otherwise, leave out)
– 3 inches fresh ginger root
– 1 lime, peeled
– 4 sprigs mint
Method:
Run all of the above ingredients through a juicer, like the Breville, and enjoy immediately. Alternatively, you could blend the recipe if you do not have a juicer.