According to data from USDA Food Data Central, 100g of fresh pineapple contains only 1mg of sodium, belonging to the group of fruits with extremely low sodium content. This is a particularly important factor for people with chronic kidney disease or people who are looking to reduce the filter pressure on the kidney gland, because a diet rich in sodium often increases water retention and blood pressure, two main factors that damage the kidneys.
The National Kidney Foundation recommends that kidney patients should only consume 1,500-2,000mg of sodium/day, and choosing natural low-sodium foods such as pineapple is an effective way to maintain this standard while still ensuring delicious taste.
One of the typical compounds of pineapple is bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down proteins that can reduce inflammation, prevent the formation of fibrosis and support the immune system.
Bromelain has been shown to protect the kidneys from damage caused by inflammation or metabolic toxins, especially in animal models with chronic kidney disease.
Bromelain is also known to help reduce blood viscosity, improve renal capillary circulation, thereby increasing the body's natural filtering efficiency.
Pineapple is a natural source of vitamin C (nearly 80mg/100g), along with antioxidants such as beta-carotene, flavonoids and phenolic acid.
These substances play a role in neutralizing free radicals, reducing oxidative stress - a factor that damages renal pipelines and accelerates tissue fibrosis.
Supplementing vitamin C from food can help improve glomerulonephtheria (GFR) and support urinary protein control, two important indicators for assessing kidney function.
In addition to bromelain, pineapple also contains natural organic acids such as citric acid and malic acid, which help increase urine excretion gently, thereby reducing water retention and supporting the excretion of metabolized products through the kidneys.
For people at risk of kidney stones due to oxalate or uric, eating pineapple properly can help dilute urine and prevent crystallization.
Eating fresh pineapple for 30-60 minutes after a main meal helps digestion well and absorb bromelain effectively.
Do not eat it on an empty stomach, because the acid in pineapple can irritate the stomach.
Recommended dosage: 100-150g fresh pineapple at a time, 2-3 times a week.
Do not combine with foods rich in protein immediately, because strong bromelain can cause bloating in sensitive people.
Avoid sugar-soaked pineapple, canned pineapple contains many preservatives and hidden sodium.
