Study of 204 Countries Finds Low Fruit, Vegetable Intake Beats Sodium as Top Kidney Risk
Updated
Updated · en.sedaily.com · Aug 19
Study of 204 Countries Finds Low Fruit, Vegetable Intake Beats Sodium as Top Kidney Risk
2 articles · Updated · en.sedaily.com · Aug 19
Summary
Global Burden of Disease 2021 data from 204 countries showed kidney-health losses of 38.68 per 100,000 for low fruit intake and 30.84 for low vegetables, versus 19.81 for excess sodium.
The Kyung Hee University-led team said sodium harms kidneys mainly through higher blood pressure, while too little fruit and vegetables drives inflammation and tissue damage through more indirect pathways.
Researchers urged a broader prevention strategy: raise fruit, vegetable and whole-grain intake while cutting sodium, processed meat, red meat and sugary drinks, ideally before kidney function starts to decline.
Patients with already impaired kidney function need caution because high fruit and vegetable intake can raise hyperkalemia risk when potassium excretion is reduced.
South Korea's chronic kidney disease burden is rising fast, with patients increasing to 346,000 in 2024 from about 170,000 in 2015 and prevalence reaching 25.9% among people 70 and older.