15 Best Foods for Kidney Health

The body consists of five organs that are vital for survival: the heart, the brain, the kidneys, the liver, and the lungs. If one or more of these organs stops functioning, it becomes a matter or life or death. This is because each of these organs has a crucial role to fulfill. The heart pumps blood throughout the body, the brain controls thoughts, memory, speech, and movement, the kidneys filter blood and form urine, the liver secretes bile for digestion and produces necessary proteins, and the lungs exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with blood.

While the function of all of these organs is critical, we are going to focus solely on the kidneys. They may be small organs, but they do very important work. Located on either side of your spine, the kidneys filter blood into urine, regulate blood pressure, produce red blood cells, and build strong bones. Without them, your body is unable to function properly. This is why it's so important to take care of your kidneys. If they malfunction, you may develop kidney disease—which is destructive and irreversible. And it can lead to kidney failure—which can be fatal.

In order to keep your kidneys healthy and functioning, add these 15 foods to your diet. Eating these foods, along with incorporating physical activity into your daily routine and maintaining a healthy weight, will help prevent kidney stones, kidney disease, and/or kidney failure.