For your body to stay healthy, each organ has to do its job well—and your kidneys are especially important. They remove toxins and excess water from your blood. However, some daily habits can put your kidney health at risk. Here’s what to avoid:
1. Not Drinking Enough Water
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Staying hydrated is essential for your kidneys.
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Water flushes out toxins and waste, and keeps red blood cells balanced.
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Not drinking enough water makes it harder for your kidneys to filter your blood, letting harmful substances build up.
2. Excessive Alcohol Consumption
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Drinking too much alcohol overloads your kidneys with toxins.
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Regular heavy drinking raises your risk for kidney disease and can damage other organs as well.
3. Too Much Salt
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A high-salt diet stresses your kidneys.
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Salt is a direct risk factor for kidney problems, not just a myth.
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Try to limit your daily salt intake to protect your kidney function.
4. Holding In Your Urine
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Don’t make a habit of delaying bathroom trips.
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Holding urine increases pressure in your kidneys, which can lead to long-term damage.
5. Drinking Too Much Coffee
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Keep your coffee intake to 1–2 cups (8–16 oz, or 240–475 ml) per day.
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Excessive caffeine can put extra strain on your kidneys.
6. Ignoring Colds and Flu
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Untreated illnesses like the flu can affect your kidneys.
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Pay attention to symptoms and give your body time to recover.
7. Enduring Pain Without Relief
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Chronic pain and some pain remedies can harm your kidneys.
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Try to address pain early and avoid medications that might worsen kidney function.
8. Eating Too Much Protein
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A high-protein diet increases the metabolic workload on your kidneys.
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Limit excess protein, especially if you’re at risk for kidney issues.
Paying attention to these everyday habits can go a long way in protecting your kidney health—just like that.