A diet abundant in vitamins, antioxidants, and several other nutrients can benefit the kidneys’ health. For example, eating a wide assortment of fruits can be suitable for your diet if you suffer from kidney disease, as they do not include large amounts of phosphorus and potassium.
Can dragon fruit help UTIs and conditions like chronic kidney disease? When you have chronic kidney disease, your diet becomes limited. When your kidney cannot fulfill all of its functions, a bad diet can negatively impact your kidney function. Continuing bad kidney function can speed up the disease’s progression.
Patient Education Is Important
Therefore, patients need to be educated on all the necessary dietary restrictions to take control of their kidney function and manage their condition. Associated conditions with kidney disease like high blood pressure can also cause additional problems.
If you have medical conditions like blood pressure issues and you’re among the many chronic kidney disease patients in your locale, consult with your doctor regularly. We all need healthy kidneys.
The diet component is crucial for kidney wellness. Items like processed foods are problematic, and compromised kidney function can reduce the immune system, too. So if you eat processed foods and other unhealthy items frequently, there’s going to be a huge conflict with the goal of keeping your kidneys healthy and your immune system functioning properly. Healthy foods are important not just for kidney health but also maintaining the health of all your other organs. Promoting kidney health in your family can help you stay on track since you have more people working with the same goals.
Working with Your Diet
If you don’t know the first thing about a kidney-friendly diet, then you can work with a renal dietitian. You can also ask them about the effects of a high-potassium diet, as well as the risks of kidney failure. If you can avoid a high-potassium diet now, you’re set for a healthier year. Kidney patients often thrive with the right information, as they can manage their disease better and continue to function properly.
You should also know how much protein you need without exacerbating your condition, where to get essential nutrients, the CKD diet, the effects of excess sodium, and what happens to the blood vessels of those who suffer from kidney damage. Kidney damage isn’t to be trifled with, so it’s crucial that you know how many foods you can eat, as well as the effects of your cholesterol levels and foods high in potassium.
Why Dragon Fruit Improves Kidney Health?
People with kidney issues typically have dietary restrictions, as is common knowledge. Fortunately, dragon fruit contains many good nutrients for the body and may even have some curative properties.
If you have diabetes, choosing dragon fruit as part of your diet may be beneficial because this fruit has a high fiber content, which is known to assist people with diabetes in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Additionally, it prevents rising blood sugar frequently seen after eating fruits with a high glycemic index.
Your kidney health will improve in direct proportion to the amount of vitamin C in your diet. Vitamin C is found in abundance in citrus fruits like dragon fruit as well as other types as well. Therefore, drinking dragon fruit juice daily could be beneficial to lower your chance of developing kidney stones.
Antioxidants do their job by quelling the effects of free radicals, reducing damage to cells and inflammation. According to some studies, diets rich in antioxidants can support the inhibition of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and arthritis.
Notably, the most effective way to consume antioxidants is in their natural form, which is found in food (like dragon fruit) instead of in supplement or pill form. Furthermore, antioxidant supplements could cause adverse consequences, which is why using them without the supervision of a physician is not a good idea.
Consume Dragon Fruit Under The Right Conditions
The ability of your body to fend off infections is influenced by several factors, one of which is the quality of the diet you consume. The vitamin C plus carotenoids found in dragon fruit may help strengthen your immune system and keep your white blood cells from becoming damaged, reducing the risk of illness.
Diabetes patients have a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease, which affects around one-third of diabetic patients. Despite this, it is safe for diabetic patients to consume, though it is recommended that you check with your healthcare provider beforehand.
What Is Dragon Fruit Good For?
The dragon fruit is also known as strawberry pear or pitahaya, a tropical fruit with a striking red exterior and a sweet, seed-studded pulp. It is named for its resemblance to a strawberry pear. Foodies and people concerned about their health have given it much attention because of its distinctive appearance and widespread praise as a “superfood.”
What Do Dragon Fruits Look Like?
The fruits look like fiery yellow or pink bulbs from the outside, and the leaves of the plant are shaped like spikes and shoot up around it like flames. However, if you cut it open, you’ll find that the inside is filled with a soft white substance sprinkled with edible black seeds.
Dragon Fruits Aid Digestion
It has a naturally low-fat content and a high fiber content. Since it can improve your feeling full longer between meals, it is an excellent choice as a snack.
Dragon Fruits Have Tons Of Antioxidants
It has a high concentration of antioxidants such as betacyanin, flavonoids, and phenolic acid. These naturally occurring compounds shield your cells against the destructive power of free radicals, which are molecules that have been linked to diseases such as cancer and accelerated aging.
Dragon Fruits Improve Your Digestive Tract
It is rich in prebiotics, foods that nourish the beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract known as probiotics. Increasing the quantity of prebiotics in your diet can help restore a healthier ratio of beneficial to pathogenic bacteria in your digestive tract.
Dragon Fruits Promote Good Bacteria
In particular, the growth of the beneficial bacteria lactobacilli and bifidobacteria is promoted by dragon fruit consumption. These and other beneficial bacteria can eliminate disease-causing viruses and germs in your digestive tract.
Dragon Fruits Have The Low-Allergen Count
Although some people have reported adverse responses to dragon fruit, it is usually considered safe for consumption. A swollen tongue, rashes, and nausea are some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction. However, it appears that this kind of reaction does not occur very frequently.
Where Can You Buy Dragon Fruits?
For your good fortune, residing in a tropical climate is not a prerequisite for reaping the numerous health advantages of dragon fruit. Instead, fresh or frozen versions are sold in grocery stores worldwide.
What Fruit Is Good for Kidneys
The vast majority of fruits are beautiful additions to a lifestyle that is kind to the kidneys since they taste excellent, including a lot of fiber, have a low salt content, and contain essential minerals. However, because the unique dietary requirements of a person with chronic kidney disease vary on several aspects, it is essential to understand which fruits are beneficial for those who suffer from kidney disease.
Every fruit has its appearance, flavor, and aroma, providing various health advantages. Your ability to prepare kidney-friendly meals will be much enhanced if you understand the benefits of various kinds of fruit.
If you have chronic kidney disease, consume these fruits:
- Cranberries contain a wealth of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial characteristics, making them an excellent dietary addition for those battling renal conditions or urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- The phenolic compounds known as anthocyanins and ellagitannins found in strawberries are responsible for the fruit’s ability to boost kidney function.
- Daily consumption of lemon juice diluted with water may help reduce the likelihood of developing kidney stones.
- Watermelon, on the other hand, has a relatively low potassium content. In addition to being rich in magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and lycopene, a potent antioxidant, watermelon also have a relatively low sodium content.
- Blueberries have a high level of anti-inflammatory phytonutrients and antioxidants known as anthocyanidins. Blueberries also enhance kidney and renal health by reducing inflammation.
- Ellagic acid is one of the phytonutrients found in abundance in raspberries. Ellagic acid reduces the effects of the body’s free radicals and protects cells from damage.
Additional Recommendations
Because of the high potassium content of fruits, which some people with CKD need to restrict their intake, fruits have a reputation for getting a poor rap. While it is true that many fruits contain a lot of potassium, you may still get the benefits of the nutrients in many of them, even if you eat only a modest amount of them.
Remember that the appropriate portion size is one of the most crucial aspects of a diet that is kind to the kidneys. Generally, one portion of fruit is equivalent to around half a cup of raw fruit.
What Fruit Is Bad for Kidneys
In general, fruits are good for you because they contain various vitamins and minerals. However, diabetics and others who suffer from kidney disease may be advised to reduce their consumption of some fruits, particularly those that are heavy in both sugar and potassium.
If you have kidney illness, your body won’t be able to remove potassium as effectively as it should, which can result in hyperkalemia, commonly known as elevated potassium levels in the blood. Left untreated, this disorder can produce weariness, muscle weakness, cardiac difficulties, and even death.
If you have chronic kidney disease, avoid these fruits:
- The potassium content in avocados is very high. Around 975 mg of potassium in an avocado weighs about 200 grams. This is almost half the daily dosage suggested for patients with kidney disease.
- Due to the high levels of sugar and minerals, including potassium, that are found in dried fruits, consumption of these foods is discouraged for persons who suffer from renal disease or diabetes. If you have diabetes, you should prevent eating dried fruits because they contain a lot of sugar that is digested quickly.
- Oranges or orange juice include a significant amount of antioxidants; nevertheless, they also contain a lot of potassium. Therefore, even though oranges and orange juice are known for their high vitamin C content, they should be avoided or consumed in moderation while following a renal diet because of the high potassium concentration of these foods.
- There are around 422 milligrams of potassium in a banana that is considered medium size. Therefore, patients with chronic renal disease may have difficulty keeping their daily potassium consumption below 2,000 to 2,500 milligrams if this fruit is a staple in their diet. As a result, individuals with long-term renal disease should avoid eating this fruit.
- If you have kidney problems and diabetes, you should avoid fruit juices and other liquids that are sweetened with sugar. These beverages typically include a significant amount of added sugar, which can lead to fast rises in blood sugar levels.
Additional Recommendations
If you have diabetes and kidney disease, it is recommended that you reduce the number of specific nutrients that you consume. These nutrients include carbohydrates, salt, potassium, and phosphorus. You must consult a renal dietician and a healthcare expert to receive individualized suggestions based on the type of kidney disease you are currently experiencing.
How to Prepare Dragon Fruit?
According to the findings of specific studies, dragon fruit encouraged the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. Therefore, if you cannot locate dragon fruit at your neighborhood grocery shop, you could have more success looking for it at a specialist food store or an Asian market.
When choosing, go with your gut instinct. When you test it with your finger, it should feel slightly soft. However, you should still bring it home, even if it’s too hard, and set it on your kitchen counter so it can ripen.
If you want to avoid eating overripe fruit, look for one that is bruised or has dry leaves. If pressing on it gives you a firm sensation, you should allow it to mature on the counter for a few nights before consuming it.
To prepare the fruit, chop it into four equal parts using a sharp knife. Then, either remove the skin with your fingers or use a spoon, a frozen yogurt scoop, or a melon baller to scoop out the flesh. Eat the meat, not the skin.
Any remaining dragon fruit should be put in a clean plastic bag and kept in your fridge for up to a week. Alternatively, you might store it in the freezer and make it last up to three months.
Although it is typically consumed in its raw form, dragon fruit may be cooked on a grill just like other types of fruit. You can add your dragon fruit to things like smoothies, salads, fish, and drinks.
When you are ready to consume it, peel it and split it into chunks. The fruit’s flesh is consumed while the skin is discarded in a manner analogous to an avocado’s. There is also the option of slicing it in half and removing the meat using a spoon or cantaloupe baller.
After chopping it up, please place it in airtight packaging and store it in the refrigerator. You should toss out your dragon fruit if it develops brown spots and becomes mushy.
How to Eat Dragon Fruit: Dragon Fruit Recipes
While the flesh of certain dragon fruits is red, other varieties have a whiter texture. When viewed from the outside, it may be challenging to differentiate between the two. In general, dragon fruits with red flesh are more spherical, while those with white flesh are more elongated.
Most grocery stores will mark which item is which, and frequently, there will be a sticker on the fruit itself that will describe the color of the flesh. Both red-fleshed and white-fleshed dragon fruits have a flavor that is described as comparable, although red-fleshed dragon fruits have a somewhat sweet and rich taste.
Keep the dragon fruit in the fridge inside a Ziploc bag or other airtight container if you want to delay the ripening process. This will help preserve the fruit’s flavor. Unfortunately, dragon fruit is quite susceptible to absorbing the flavors of other foods stored in the refrigerator.
Keeping it in a sealed bag or container while you store it will prevent any flavor change. In addition, cut dragon fruit should be stored in the refrigerator in a container that may be sealed.
Recipe 1: Dragon Fruit Waldorf Salad
The dragon fruit Waldorf salad is a sweet and tangy option for those who want a light but whole salad. It’s loaded with delicious things like Greek yogurt and mayonnaise, as well as exotic fruits like dragon fruit, grapes, and crispy apples.
- The dragon fruit should be cut in half lengthwise. To remove a spot of skin, slide your finger under it, draw it back, and then peel it off in one go. Triangles about a quarter of an inch in thickness should be cut from each quadrant.
- In a large bowl, combine the honey, lemon juice, yogurt, mayonnaise, salt, and ginger and whisk until smooth. Next, combine the cashews, 3/4 of the cilantro, and 3/4 of the dragon fruit pieces. Stir together and chill for at least an hour, preferably overnight.
- To serve, divide the salad into four bowls lined with lettuce leaves. Put the last of the dragon fruit, cilantro, and cashews on top.
Recipe 2: Dragon Fruit-Mango Smoothie
If you’ve tried and liked our other mango-based pure fruit smoothies, such as the tropical or mango pineapple banana, this is the drink for you.
- Chop the mango. Mangoes can be easily divided in half widthwise by avoiding the flattened seed core.
- Dragon fruits can be easily prepared by slicing off the top and then slicing it in half lengthwise. The fruit’s flesh can be removed with a spoon, but the skin should be left in.
- In a bowl, combine the pulp of the mango and dragon fruit. Next, merge the pulp of the mango and the dragon fruit. Feel free to add sugar, honey, or stevia if you want to sweeten it up.
- The dish is best served chilled.
Recipe 3: Dragon Fruit Pudding With Chia Seeds
An excellent dessert or brunch option, dragon fruit pudding requires no cooking and is rich and creamy. Dragon fruit may be found fresh, and coconut milk creates the pudding.
- Prepare a dish that calls for slices of dragon fruit by washing, peeling, and chopping one. Then, please put them in the container of a blender.
- Put a cup of coconut milk, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, some sugar, and four tablespoons of chia seeds in the jar. Put everything in a blender and whir it up until it’s completely smooth.
- Please put it in a bowl or individual serving glasses and chill it for 60 to 180 minutes to solidify.
Recipe 4: Dragon Fruit Parfait
Red and white dragon fruits are utilized in the preparation of this dish. On the other hand, if you can only find one color, that’s perfectly acceptable. These fruits are interchangeable and can be used in place of one another with no problem.
- Dragon fruit with red flesh, half dragon fruit with white flesh, one banana, one tablespoon of honey, and one cup of yogurt should be blended until smooth.
- Make meatballs out of the remaining half of the dragon fruit with white flesh using a melon baller to scoop out the flesh. Set aside.
- The remaining yogurt should be poured into the cups until they are approximately a third full. Then, spread the mixed mixture on top of the yogurt.
- Blueberries, granola, and dragon fruit balls should be used as garnishes (white flesh).
In addition to the dishes shown below, dragon fruit can be utilized in various other creative ways. The fact that dragon fruit tastes delicious when combined with ice cream is one of the fruit’s many advantages. Whether you use it as a primary flavoring component in your handmade ice cream or add a dash of it to plain vanilla ice cream for an extra punch of flavor, it is sure to please.
Because of its eye-catching shape and color, it can also be utilized as an edible decorative item to be added to the main course that you are serving. After being sliced, it can be put into whatever beverage you like. Additionally, you may use the many beneficial properties of dragon fruit by including it in a variety of sweets, such as cakes, mousse, or even just serving fresh pieces alongside macarons.
