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It doesn’t just matter how much you drink for kidney health but what you’re drinking that makes drinks good for kidneys. Beverages can be great to keep you hydrated and allow the kidneys to filter out toxins and wastes.
There are certain drinks that have good-for-you qualities related to your kidneys. Learn here what makes for some of the best drinks for kidneys.
Table of Contents
Coffee
Coffee is a part of many people’s morning routines and can be one of the good drinks for kidneys in your diet.
It provides antioxidants and has been shown to help with other health ailments like protection against cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and congestive heart failure.
It’s important to note that there is a “cap” on coffee’s benefits. Keep total caffeine intake to a max of 400 milligrams per day, which is approximately 3-4 cups of black coffee.
You can read more about coffee and kidney disease here.
Tea
Certain teas are good for kidneys, but there are also teas that are not. Keep in mind that some tea products may add other ingredients, which are not always advised or safe.
Teas that promote laxative or diuretic effects can be problematic for those with kidney disease. Certain herbal teas and remedies can be bad for kidneys, causing further kidney damage.
Below are some examples of teas that are good for kidneys.
Peppermint Tea
Digestive issues are common for people with kidney disease. Peppermint tea has been shown to help digestion.
Try adding peppermint tea after a meal. You may also find it’s enjoyable in the evening. Peppermint tea is naturally caffeine-free.
Ginger Tea
Another tea that helps with digestion is ginger tea. Ginger is used for nausea, a side effect of many medications as well as dialysis.
Ginger tea with some lemon may be an enjoyable way to start your morning. It has a bright and energetic flavor. It is caffeine-free as well.
Keep ginger tea on hand for when you feel nauseated. Again, be sure your ginger tea does not have added ingredients that are not good for kidneys.
Read more about ginger and kidney disease here.
Green Tea
Green tea can be a great beverage to include in your renal diet. It contains polyphenols, including epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG has been researched for kidney-protective effects.
A caffeine-containing tea, green tea should be consumed in moderation and earlier in the day to prevent sleep disturbances.
An 8-oz cup of green tea contains approximately 45 milligrams of caffeine. However, this can vary widely depending on the leaves and brewing time.
While green tea does contain oxalates, it has been shown to reduce the number of calcium oxalate stones when added to the diet.
Additionally, adding a small amount of milk to tea has been shown to drastically reduce oxalates consumed.
Be careful with bottled green teas as some have added phosphorus and potassium.
Milk
Milk can be a good drink for kidneys, but it’s important to know what to look for. There are dozens of different milk options to choose from these days.
To choose kidney-friendly milk, opt for one that has no added sugar.
Read the ingredients list and avoid any kinds of milk that have phosphate additives. Potassium additives are quite common in milk as well, which may need to be avoided if you are on a low potassium diet.
Read more about the different kidney-friendly milk options here.
Smoothies
Smoothies can be a great source of nutrition and energy for those with kidney disease. They are incredibly versatile and can be modified to meet anyone’s personal preferences and goals.
To make a kidney-friendly smoothie, try this basic template. Grab the following ingredients:
- 1 cup milk or liquid of choice
- 1 cup frozen fruit
- A handful of chopped greens (kale or spinach)
- 1 tablespoon of nut butter or seeds (like chia or flaxseed)
Next, add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth!
There are plenty of kidney-friendly fruits and veggies you can add to a smoothie. If you need to limit potassium, stick to the lower potassium fruit and veggie options.
You can learn more about following a low potassium diet here.
Juice
While not as filling as smoothies, juices can still fit into your diet and be good drinks for your kidneys.
Keep in mind that juice is taken from fruits and vegetables, leaving the fiber behind. This is why many people are concerned with the sugars in juice. People with diabetes may experience higher blood sugar spikes if drinking juice alone.
Low-potassium juices
If you need to limit potassium, here are some juice options you may be able to enjoy while keeping potassium levels down.
The amount of potassium in the table is per 4 ounces of juice, which is considered a serving of fruit.
| Juice | Potassium (mg) in 4 ounces |
|---|---|
| Cranberry juice | 98 |
| Apple juice | 125 |
| Grape juice | 132 |
| Beet juice | 159 |
| Pineapple juice | 163 |
| Grapefruit juice | 200 |
A warning about grapefruit juice
Grapefruit juice should be cleared by your doctor before being added to your diet. This is because it can interfere with medications, including;
- Atorvastatin (for high cholesterol)
- Nifedipine (for high blood pressure)
- Cyclosporine (for organ transplants)
- Buspirone (for anxiety)
- Budesonide (for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
- Amiodarone (for abnormal heart rhythms)
- Fexofenadine (for allergies)
High-potassium juices
If you don’t need to limit potassium, adding in some high potassium juices (or smoothies) can be a great way to keep kidneys healthy.
Here are some high potassium juices in 4-ounce servings.
| Juice | Potassium (mg) in 4 ounces |
|---|---|
| Pomegranate juice | 217 |
| Cherry juice (tart) | 217 |
| Orange juice | 248 |
| Tomato juice | 278 |
| Celery juice | 307 |
| Carrot juice | 345 |
| Prune juice (canned) | 354 |
Sparkling Water
Sparkling water is a great alternative to sodas and sugar-sweetened beverages, which increase the risk of worsening CKD.
Club soda is an example of sparkling water. It’s simply water that has had carbonation added to it for a bubbly effect.
Look for sparkling water that contains only carbonated water and natural flavors. Some brands may include additives that have potassium, which is not advised.
Examples of sparkling water that are good for kidneys include;
- Bubly
- La Croix
- Spindrift
- Waterloo
- Good & Gather
- San Pellegrino
- Perrier
Sparkling waters to avoid
Some sparkline waters contain potassium and/or phosphorus additives. Examples include;
- Clear American
- Sparkling Ice
- Aquafina Flavor Splash
- Propel Water
It’s important to read the ingredient list to search for additives, which are highly absorbed and can make it difficult to control potassium and phosphorus levels.
Water
Finally, it should be no surprise that plain ol’ water makes for a good kidney drink.
Our bodies and our kidneys need plenty of water to help us with keeping a normal temperature, providing joint support, and of course giving the kidneys a way to eliminate toxins and wastes.
No, you don’t need special water to get the benefits. There’s no evidence that products like alkaline water do anything for our kidneys.
Save your money and invest instead in a good water filter for your sink. That way you’ll be using the water you already have available to you at any time.
Don’t forget that there are plenty of ways to add flavor to your water to stay hydrated!
Add in a few slices of your favorite fruit with some herbs like basil or mint. Allow to infuse for a couple of hours or overnight before enjoying.
If you need to limit fluids, be sure to stick to your fluid restriction. Adding in more fluids when it’s not advised can be harmful to your health.
A warning about coconut water
Many people ask about coconut water and kidney disease. Coconut water is very high in potassium.
An 8-oz serving of coconut water will provide 600 milligrams of potassium. Many coconut water beverages in the market will also contain added sugar, something that should be limited for kidney health.
Summary
There are plenty of drinks that are good for the kidneys. Hydrating is an important part of keeping kidneys healthy and filtering. To do this, you may want to have a variety of drinks to keep it from being boring.
Add in drinks that you truly enjoy. The key is to stay hydrated and feel good with your drink choices.
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What about Kombucha? Thanks
Kombucha may be okay in some situations, but there are a few things to consider. One- the added sugar. Kombucha is traditionally very bitter from the fermentation, so many add sugar (and a lot of it). Two- the fermentation process. Not all are safe, and not everyone with CKD is cleared to have fermented drinks that may carry bacteria. Check with your healthcare team to see if it’s something you could add, if you want to. It’s not something we typically recommend unless a person truly enjoys it.
Thank you for sharing this information with us. It is very beneficial for me and I am glad to know about the smoothies. I have no tried making smoothies because I did not know the ingredients to use to be kidney friendly. I look forward to making smoothies. thank you.
Oh, I’m so excited for you, Prescilla! Smoothies are a great way to get in a lot of nutrients without feeling overwhelmed with a big plate of produce. 🙂
Zevia alright to drink
Zevia makes great phosphorus-free sodas that can be kidney friendly! 🙂
Dr. zevia is one of the kidney friendly drinks I have used to replace my diet coke addiction. It doesnt taste all that great but it has grown on me some.
Zevia is a great phos-free brand, John! And yes, changing brands always means accepting it won’t taste like the “original,” but when we focus on why the switch is good for us, it often makes it better! 🙂
how about flavor water
Hi Richard! It depends on several things, including the brand and even flavor. Sometimes certain flavors from the same brands will have different additives. Check the label and try to avoid additives as much as possible. Bubly is usually a good option and still counts towards your water goal for the day. 🙂
How about a recipe for a smoothie without spinach or kale….no-no for me.
One of my favorite quick go-tos is a simple blueberry smoothie. One cup milk of preference, one cup frozen blueberries, one tablespoon chia seeds, and a half cup of preferred yogurt. Easy and delicious!
Thank you so much for all the helpful information.
You’re most welcome, Veronica! 💚
How about Mio water flavorings?
Some have been found to be good. Just be sure to check the ingredients list for additives that aren’t kidney friendly. Cheers!
Are sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade good for kidneys? I suffer from kidney stones alot and travel with my job alot. Water isn’t always a viable option.
These can have a lot of added sugars, which are not good for kidney stones. Some types also have additives, which can be problematic for the kidneys as well. Water is the gold standard and what we should be drinking mostly. Certain flavored waters can be okay- would that be an option for you, Ashley?
I just want to confirm that it’s safe to drink the Zevia cola and Dr. Zevia occasionally. I wish I’d known about how dark cola can harm years ago before I found your Facebook group!
Hey Kathy! Zevia is a great brand that I have recommended. Last I checked, they avoid phosphate additives, which is fantastic! It’s important to know that not all dark colas are bad… it’s the ingredients that make it good or bad, and they’re not all made the same.
very good imformation
Thank you, Diane! We’re happy to hear it helped. 😊
How about those already on dialysis?
Dialysis drinks can be reviewed with the dietitian in the dialysis clinic for the most personalized preferences. 😊
Thank you! Just found out I need to be on a kidney friendly diet! This info helps
How about plain tonic water?
In general, this can be fine. Beware of additives!
I just found that my cholesterol is very high, can u please tell me some of the food I can eat to help me to decrease it. I am from the Caribbean and love to eat all those fatty food. Please help me with my food choices. Thanks!
Hi Vevalyn,
This is a great question for one of our dieticians.
It may not be necessary for you to remove fatty foods from your diet completely.
Changing the type of fats you consume may make a difference.
Check out our blog on oil
What about an occasional beer? I may have one a week. Is that bad? And is a light beer a better choice?
Hey Steve,
Check out our blog on Alcohol.
Hi Jan like to about chocolate is it the dairy or the chocolate it self that have high phosphorus n what kind of hot chocolate can we drink with low phosphorus thank you Jan
Both dairy/milk and chocolate/cocoa are considered high in phosphorus. Check out our article that covers chocolate a little bit more: Kidney-Friendly Candy: Potassium in Chocolate and more!
I am currently on dialisys and aware of most drinks not allowed. However, I am mostly tired during the day so I would like to enquire on the safety of drinks like Red Bull power drinks. Thanks.
I am from Cape Town, South Africa
Hi Selwyn! Low energy is quite common with dialysis, unfortunately. It may be related to anemia as well. We recommend speaking with your dialysis team before using energy drinks like Red Bull as they may impact blood pressure and heart health in negative ways.
What kind of soft drink
There can be many out there to fit into a kidney-friendly diet. Some of the more common ones are lemon-lime flavored, orange, even root beer. But it’s important to avoid phosphate additives, which are commonly found in sodas.
Thank you! Very helpful information. My mom has kidney disease and drinks a lot of Propel water, but doesn’t work out or sweat so doesn’t need to replace her electrolytes, but her magnesium is very low and I got her on a magnesium citrate, glycinate, and malate supplement combo with a little zinc. Her doctor had her on magnesium oxide, which after a quick search I found it is not a good supplement for magnesium deficiency! I try to tell her to stay away from too much Propel and do water as she struggles with tummy and digestive issues and is on a very restricted diet due to jaw joint replacements!! I am sharing this with her and trying to get her to do smoothies for protein, etc too…
Thanks for sharing, Krista! She may enjoy True Lemon – it’s a powdered water flavoring that we have often recommended. Despite the name, they actually have several flavor options!
Can one still enjoy shop biscuits on a stage 3 or 4 kidney diet.
I want to be sure I’m understanding your question correctly, Anneli. Did you mean “some” biscuits when you said “shop” biscuits? If so, yes! Look for options lower in added sugar and sodium when possible.