Professor Masahiro Kozuki, President of Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences, recently shared this information in Weekly Women's Prime magazine. He emphasized that chronic kidney disease is becoming a "new national disease" in Japan, affecting one in five adults. Without timely control, patients face a heightened risk of death or requiring dialysis three times a week, imposing significant health and economic burdens.

Professor Kozuki states that kidneys are particularly sensitive to food because this organ directly processes waste products from metabolism, including water, salt, and protein. The two most dangerous elements in processed foods are sodium (salt) and phosphorus. Manufacturers often add phosphorus as an additive for preservation, color retention, and flavor enhancement, but this substance is extremely difficult for the body to excrete.

Below are 10 daily foods that the Japanese expert recommends minimizing consumption of:

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The primary danger comes from cup noodles and instant packaged noodles. One serving of noodles with soup contains 5-6 grams of salt, which nearly meets or exceeds the daily recommended intake for kidney patients (under 6 grams). Additionally, the significant amount of phosphorus additives in instant noodles further increases the burden on the kidneys.

Another group of additive-rich foods to avoid is processed meats such as sausages, ham, and bacon. These convenient breakfast items contain a high phosphorus content, forcing kidneys to work overtime to filter blood.

Fish cake products (surimi), like chikuwa (tube-shaped fish cakes) or fried fish cakes, also contain alarming amounts of phosphorus and salt. Consumers should be cautious of products labeled "pH regulators" or "emulsifiers," as these are often alternative names for phosphates.

Similarly, processed cheese utilizes emulsifying salts containing phosphates during production to achieve a smooth texture. Even pickled vegetables are on the blacklist due to their excessively high salt content, which can disrupt fluid balance and raise blood pressure, directly impacting kidney function.

Beyond salt and phosphorus, Professor Kozuki especially highlights the harmful effects of sugar. High sugar consumption leads to spikes in blood sugar, damaging small blood vessels in the kidneys and reducing their filtering capacity.

White bread is a common food but poses a significant risk. Made from refined flour, white bread causes rapid blood sugar spikes after consumption. The expert advises people to replace it with whole-grain bread.

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Sweets like cakes and steamed buns, which contain high sugar content, should be removed from the diet. For snacks, salty potato chips and carbohydrate-rich rice crackers can easily cause blood sugar spikes; they should be consumed sparingly, ideally no more than once a week.

Finally, the group of liquid sugary drinks includes fruit and vegetable juices, canned coffee, and energy drinks. A small box of juice can contain up to 25 grams of carbohydrates (equivalent to 6 sugar cubes). Eating fresh fruit directly is far better than drinking juice to reduce sugar intake into the body.

Binh Minh (According to Weekly Women's Prime, Sing Tao Headline)