Are Prunes Bad for Kidney Disease Patients

Kidney disease

Prunes are common fruit in our daily life, and some people also drink prune juice. However, when patients are diagnosed with kidney disease, they may be recommended to pay highly attention to the consumption of prunes. This is because some people think prunes are bad for kidney patients. Is this thought right?
Dried plums contain many nutrients and non-nutritive substances known as phytochemicals, some of which function as antioxidants and contribute to health.

The main reason is that prune is rich in potassium. When kidney disease progresses into end stage, kidneys are unable to filter out extra potassium. Then, the deposits of potassium can cause many complications such as irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, breath problems, etc. Therefore, if patients’ blood potassium level is higher than the normal values, they are suggested to limit or even avoid prunes.

Dietary Fiber
Dietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate found only in plant foods that cannot be broken down by our digestive enzymes. There are two types of dietary fiber—soluble and insoluble—with different effects on our health. Dried plums provide both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. About 60 percent of the dietary fiber in dried plums is pectin, a type of soluble fiber that may lower blood cholesterol levels. Insoluble fiber works mainly in the large intestine (the colon), acting like a sponge and drawing in more water. This results in less pressure on the walls of the colon and a softer stool that is eliminated more quickly.

Fiber-containing foods provide an array of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and complex carbohydrates that have a positive effect on our health. Working together, these nutrients may help to lower the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure and regulate blood-sugar levels. Increase your daily intake of dietary fiber with tasty and versatile dried plums.

Besides, if kidney failure patients have begun hemodialysis, high-potassium foods should also be avoided since hemodialysis is unable to eliminate potassium efficiently. But, if they do peritoneal dialysis, the condition will be quite different.

If kidney disease is still in the early stage or patients are doing peritoneal dialysis, they don’t need to avoid prunes or prune juice. On the contrary, prune can bring some health benefits for these patients.


Now, we can know the level of serum potassium is the main factor to determine whether patients can eat prunes or drink prune juice. If you want to know how much prune you can eat every time, you can consult the doctor online.
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