2026/06/14 19:26
Nephrologist Hong Yongxiang emphasized that although fruits are healthy, more is not always better for kidney patients. Star fruit is an absolutely contraindicated fruit for patients with renal insufficiency and may cause severe neurotoxicity; diagram. (Picture taken from photoAC)
[Health Channel/Comprehensive Report] Fruits are rich in vitamins, dietary fiber and phytochemicals, which are beneficial to the health of most people. However, for patients with chronic kidney disease, choosing the wrong fruit may be harmful to the body. Hong Yongxiang, director of Hong Yongxiang Clinic, pointed out that kidney patients should pay special attention to the five major fruit landmines, including star fruits, high potassium fruits, fruits with high pesticide residues, citrus fruits such as grapefruit, and high sugar fruits such as mangoes and lychees. If the kidney function is poor and large amounts are ingested, in severe cases, it may cause hyperkalemia and drug interactions, damaging kidney health.
Hong Yongxiang shared in the Facebook fan page "Hong Yongxiang Clinic" that a 70-year-old Uncle Chen suffered from the third stage of chronic kidney disease. His blood pressure was well controlled and he returned to the doctor regularly. After eating a large amount of sugar apples for many days, he developed general weakness, chest tightness and arrhythmia. He was sent to the hospital for examination and found to have hyperkalemia. After emergency administration of potassium-lowering drugs and enemas, he saved his life. Therefore, the more fruits you eat, the better. He further summarized the five landmines of fruits for kidney friends, so be careful:
Mine 1: Star fruit
Caramboxin contains a special neurotoxin that healthy people can excrete through kidney metabolism. However, people with renal insufficiency may accumulate the toxin, causing hiccups, vomiting, muscle twitches, and even coma and death. Therefore, patients with kidney dialysis and those with poor kidney function should avoid eating it completely.
Mine 2: High Potassium Fruits
More than 90% of potassium ions in the human body are excreted through urine by the kidneys. When kidney function declines, potassium ions cannot be excreted and accumulate in the blood, causing hyperkalemia, increasing the risk of arrhythmia and even cardiac arrest. Custard apples, bananas, kiwis, longans, cherries, cantaloupe, dragon fruit, etc. have higher potassium content. Dried fruits such as raisins, persimmons, and black dates require special attention as their potassium content becomes more concentrated due to evaporation of water.
Mine 3: Pesticide Residues
Strawberries, grapes, peaches and other fruits have thin skins or uneven surfaces, which are prone to pesticide residues. Renal friends have poor detoxification ability, and long-term exposure may increase the burden on the kidneys.
Mine 4: Citrus vs. Grapefruit
This type of fruit contains furanocoumarins, which may inhibit drug-metabolizing enzymes in the body, leading to an abnormal increase in the concentration of antihypertensive drugs or immunosuppressants, and increasing the risk of hypotension or drug toxicity. As long as there is a note on the medicine bag not to eat with grapefruit, this fruit must be completely eliminated.
Mine 5: Mango and Lychee
Including mango, lychee, etc. This type of fruit has high sweetness and high fructose content, which can easily cause blood sugar fluctuations and increase uric acid, which is particularly detrimental to patients with diabetes and kidney disease. Severe blood sugar fluctuations will put the kidneys in a state of "high filtration, high perfusion, and high pressure" for a long time, accelerating glomerulosclerosis. It is recommended to control portion size and avoid ingesting large amounts at one time.
Hong Yongxiang emphasized that people with kidney disease are not completely prohibited from eating fruits. Relatively safe choices include seeded guava, peeled apples, peeled grapes, etc. The key point is to adjust the intake according to individual kidney function, blood potassium and blood sugar conditions.
