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It is true that bitter gourd juice is beneficial for health. It contains many nutrients that reduce the risk of diseases and help in increasing immunity. It is especially very effective for diabetic patients, because such elements are also found in bitter gourd juice, which control the blood sugar level. Overall you can say that bitter gourd juice is beneficial for everyone. But perhaps we cannot say the same for kidney patients. It is believed that kidney patients should be cautious before drinking bitter gourd juice and should consult an expert before making it a part of their diet. So is bitter gourd juice really harmful for kidney patients? In this regard, we spoke to Diet N Cure's dietician and nutritionist Divya Gandhi.
Is bitter gourd juice harmful for kidney patients?
Kidney patients should not make bitter gourd juice a part of their regular diet. In fact, it can adversely affect kidney health. According to Divya Gandhi, bitter gourd has diuretic properties. This means that if kidney patients consume bitter gourd juice, their urine production may increase. However, frequent urination flushes out toxins from the body. But if kidney patients do not drink enough water or do not keep the body hydrated, drinking bitter gourd juice can put additional pressure on their kidneys. Due to which the kidneys have to work overtime. At the same time, their kidneys are already weak. Apart from this, bitter gourd juice contains high amounts of potassium. Excessive potassium intake is not recommended for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or dialysis. They should take potassium in limited quantities only. When there is a problem in the kidneys, it becomes a challenge for them to filter potassium and hyperkalemia (increased potassium levels in the blood) may occur.
Disadvantages of drinking bitter gourd juice for kidney patients
There may be kidney stones. People who have a history of kidney stones in their family or are at risk of kidney stones should reduce their intake of bitter gourd juice. The oxalate present in it increases the risk of kidney stones. If you have to drink bitter gourd juice, then limit its quantity.
Toxicity may increase
If a kidney patient takes it in excess, it can increase toxicity in the body. This can cause problems like gastrointestinal problems and liver toxicity. All these things are indirectly related to kidney function.
Kidney patients should keep these things in mind before drinking bitter gourd juice.
Kidney patients can make bitter gourd juice a part of their balanced diet, but its quantity should be limited. Healthy people should also avoid its excessive consumption. Kidney patients should avoid sudden changes in their diet. If they want to make something new a part of their diet, it would be better to consult an expert first.