The kidney is an organ of the human body located on both sides of the lower back; the kidneys have the function of filtration. The body’s blood passes through the glomerulus of the kidney for filtration, removing a large amount of metabolic waste from the body to the outside. Therefore, the kidney is also known as the “cleaner” of the blood.
At the same time, the kidneys also have the function of absorption, absorbing the vast majority of beneficial nutrients for the body, including water, for reuse. Therefore, the stronger the kidney function, the more it can continuously supply nutrients and water to the body, making kidney function an important indicator of human health.
However, some men, due to various unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking, staying up late, and excessive indulgence, lead to a decline in kidney function, and the “suboptimal health” phenomenon is quite serious. Therefore, men should pay attention to kidney care.
Men with poor kidney health need to control their water intake.
For men with strong kidney function, drinking more water can promote blood circulation, accelerate detoxification by producing a large amount of urine, and purify the body. However, for those with poor kidney function, drinking too much water can increase the metabolic burden on the kidneys. Especially before sleeping, drinking too much water can affect sleep quality and is not conducive to kidney health.
Therefore, men with poor kidney health should control their water intake – not too much to increase the metabolic burden on the kidneys, and not too little to affect normal body function. It is recommended to develop a habit of drinking water often but in small amounts. If not thirsty before bedtime, there is generally no need to drink. The total daily water intake should be kept between 1000–1500 milliliters. Also, pay attention to a light diet, especially reducing the consumption of high-oil, high-salt, and high-sugar foods as they can affect the body’s water circulation.
People with poor kidney health should drink less of the following three types of water:
1. Alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic drinks like beer, liquor, wine, homemade rice wine, and some cocktails should be avoided by those with poor kidney health. Of course, even for healthy individuals, consumption should be minimized.
When alcohol enters the body, the alcohol concentration in the blood rises, and only a small amount is exhaled through respiration, with the majority needing to be broken down by the liver and ultimately cleared from the body by the kidneys. Therefore, for those with poor kidney health, abstaining from alcohol is advisable.
2. Carbonated drinks
Carbonated drinks contain a high level of carbonic acid, which is produced by the combination of water and carbon dioxide. Excessive consumption can increase the metabolic burden on the kidneys. Additionally, most carbonated drinks contain high levels of sugar, preservatives, and other additives. Even for healthy individuals, excessive consumption is not recommended.
Similarly, beverages like coffee, strong tea, and other high-sugar drinks should be consumed in moderation. The best choice of drink is warm water, and adding some herbal tea like goji berries without sugar is also beneficial.
3. Concentrated meat broth
Meat broth or bone broth, after prolonged cooking, has high nutritional value but contains high levels of purine and cholesterol. Purine is eventually metabolized into uric acid, which can only be excreted through urine. If there are issues with kidney metabolism, leading to high levels of uric acid in the blood, it can form uric acid salt crystals, posing a health risk to the body, especially the kidneys and joints.
Therefore, individuals with poor kidney health or high uric acid levels should avoid drinking concentrated meat broth and should also control their meat consumption.
It is important to maintain a light diet, consume more fresh vegetables, and reduce the intake of salted foods, cured meats, sausages, and processed foods high in salt. Additionally, excessive protein intake is not beneficial.
People with poor kidney health should adhere to three tasks to gradually improve kidney health:
**Maintain regular physical exercise**
Exercise not only strengthens the body and bones but also promotes blood circulation, enhances metabolic function, and facilitates kidney function repair. However, exercise should be controlled and avoid overexertion. Regular exercise routines are more beneficial for overall health.
**Ensure quality sleep**
During deep sleep at night, the body’s metabolic functions slow down, allowing the kidneys to begin repair. Therefore, good quality sleep is one of the best ways to support kidney health.
Statistics indicate that the body is most likely to enter a state of deep sleep between 9–10 PM, and for individuals with poor kidney health, it is advisable not to miss this period of “golden sleep” for kidney health. Avoid staying up late (sleeping after 11 PM is considered late-night). Practices like foot soak, warm baths, massages, staying away from phones, listening to relaxing music, and drinking warm milk can help relax before bedtime.
**Prevent excessive physical fatigue**
When the body is fatigued, it generates a lot of metabolic waste, which further burdens the kidneys. Hence, it is important to avoid excessive fatigue at work, maintain a balance between work and rest, and also cultivate a positive mindset to prevent mental fatigue and avoid sexual overexertion.
Generally, in non-illness scenarios, it is advisable to avoid taking unnecessary medications or certain unknown health supplements or folk remedies that may increase the metabolic burden on the kidneys. Instead, cultivating healthy lifestyle habits and gradually adjusting is crucial. However, in cases of illnesses, it is important to seek treatment from reputable medical facilities without delay to prevent worsening conditions.
