7 Foods That Are Actually Damaging Your Kidneys

5. Salt

As we mentioned earlier, the key to proper kidney function is a combo of sodium and potassium. Which is why it’s shocking how much sodium ends up in our bodies daily! Even if you are careful about over-salting your food, you wouldn’t believe the amount of sodium that is in the processed foods we all love so much.

Excess sodium can cause the kidneys to retain water in order to dilute the salt in your bloodstream, putting undue pressure pressure on them. Long-term excess salt intake can increase blood pressure and even damage the kidneys’ nephrons, the microscopic structures that filter waste. The best thing you can do is stick to fresh, whole foods and hold back on the salt when you’re cooking.