5. Missing out on sleep
It turns out that a good night’s rest is extremely important not only for your overall well-being, but for your kidney health as well. Your sleep/wake cycles regulate and coordinate your kidney function, and this organ’s tissues are renewed only when you’re sleeping. So if you don’t get enough sleep, you interrupt this process and increase your risk of kidney damage.
Improper sleep can also cause atherosclerosis, or the hardening and clogging of your arteries. This condition could lead to high blood pressure that can overload your kidneys and cause kidney failure over time.
4. Drinking diet soda
According to health experts, there’s a close connection between diet soda consumption and kidney problems. In 2009, a study showed that over 3,000 women who drank 2 or more sodas every day had a significant decline in kidney function. Unlike artificially-sweetened drinks, sugar-sweetened ones didn’t produce the same effect.
3. Eating a lot of meat
Overconsumption of animal protein creates a lot of acid in your blood that can cause acidosis, a condition when your kidneys can’t keep your body’s pH in balance. With time, this disorder may cause severe digestive issues and chronic kidney problems.
The recommended daily intake of protein is about 1-1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight. So, instead of eating too much meat, try to consume more fruits and vegetables and include different types of protein like eggs, fish, beans, and nuts into your diet.
