Chronic Kidney Disease Doubles in 10 Years... The Biggest Threat Is Not "Salty Foods"

Kyung Hee University Research Team Analyzes 30 Years of Dietary Habits in 204 Countries

Insufficient Fruit Intake: 38.68 Cases per 100,000... Sodium Ranks Third

Number of Patients Rising Rapidly... Prevalence Rate Reaches 25.9% Among Those Aged 70 and Older

The dietary habit that poses the greatest threat to kidney health is not high salt intake, but rather a lack of fruits and vegetables.

Photo to aid understanding of the article. Pixabay

According to Yonhap News on August 19, a research team led by Professor Ryung Dongun of Kyung Hee University School of Medicine used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD 2021) to analyze the impact of dietary habits on chronic kidney disease across 204 countries and regions from 1990 to 2021. The findings were published in the international journal Medicine.

The research team evaluated seven risk factors: insufficient intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; excessive consumption of sodium, sugar-sweetened beverages, red meat, and processed meats. They used disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) as an indicator, which is the sum of years lost due to ill health and premature death. The higher the DALY attributable to a factor, the greater the health loss associated with it.

The top risk was insufficient fruit intake, accounting for 38.68 cases per 100,000 population. This was followed by insufficient vegetable intake at 30.84 cases, and excessive sodium intake at 19.81 cases per 100,000. The next were insufficient whole grain intake at 6.46, excessive processed meat intake at 5.95, excessive red meat intake at 5.50, and excessive sugar-sweetened beverage intake at 2.22 cases per 100,000, respectively.

The mechanisms by which kidneys are harmed differ for each factor. According to experts, insufficient fruits and vegetables can lead to inflammation and tissue damage in kidney cells. Salty foods have a more direct effect: higher sodium intake increases blood pressure and raises the pressure on the glomeruli, which act as filters in the kidneys, potentially increasing proteinuria. The research team stated, "On average, people worldwide consume 4.3 grams of sodium per day, which is more than twice the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit of less than 2 grams."

Processed and red meats are high in saturated fat and sodium, and when digested leave behind substances like uric acid and ammonia, which can promote inflammation and fibrosis of the kidneys. Drinks high in sugar take a different path. Excessive sugar intake increases insulin resistance, raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, and ultimately leads to kidney damage.

The research team emphasized, "Protecting kidney health requires more than simply eating less salt. It is necessary to consume sufficient fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while also avoiding excessive salt, processed and red meats, and sugary drinks. This diet should be maintained from a young and healthy age, rather than changing habits only after kidney function has started to decline."

Image of fruit to assist in understanding the article. Pixabay

However, the same advice does not apply to patients whose kidney function has already deteriorated significantly. Because the ability to filter potassium is compromised, excessive consumption of fruits and vegetables can lead to hyperkalemia. Therefore, it is essential to check kidney function and blood potassium levels to determine the appropriate intake amount.

Chronic kidney disease is defined as impaired kidney function lasting more than three months. It often progresses without noticeable symptoms, and once the kidneys are seriously damaged, the condition is difficult to reverse. As the disease worsens, waste accumulates and the risk of cardiovascular disease increases. In the final stages, renal replacement therapies such as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplantation may become necessary.

Meanwhile, the number of chronic kidney disease patients in Korea is rapidly increasing. According to big data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients rose from about 170,000 in 2015 to over 346,000 in 2024, more than doubling in 10 years. Of these, more than 100,000 require dialysis. According to the "Chronic Kidney Disease—Nephrology Specialists Fact Sheet 2026" announced by the Korean Society of Nephrology, the adult prevalence rate was 6.3% as of 2024, but among those aged 70 and older, it was 25.9%, meaning roughly one in four in that age group is affected.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.