A diet rich in fresh produce may promote kidney health by reducing the risk of developing kidney stones, a painful condition affecting millions of Americans.
Researchers from Maine Medical Center and Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston analyzed information from individuals enrolled in three clinical studies and assigned a score to each participant based on eight components of a DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) style diet.
This type of diet relies on fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, low-fat dairy products and whole grains and is low in salt, sweetened beverages as well as red and processed meats. As such, it boosts the level of calcium, potassium, magnesium, oxalate, and vitamin C in the body.
Based on their research, the scientists determined that those with the highest DASH scores experienced between 40 percent and 45 percent reduction in the likelihood of developing kidney stones, compared with those with the lowest DASH scores.
They further note the outcome was independent of age, body size, fluid intake and other factors.
Natural health practitioners have also recommended the alkaline diet, which is rich in citrus fruits, vegetables, tubers, nuts and legumes strikingly similar to the DASH regime and has the benefit of boosting bone health into old age. 