The Mediterranean diet involves high consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, legumes, whole grains, and fiber, and a low consumption of red meat, sodium, and refined sugars. It has been proven to support good heart health, but can it help those with chronic kidney disease (CKD)? Find out what researchers learned when they investigated the kidney benefits of a Mediterranean diet for CKD patients.* 

What the researchers did

Using data from the Seniors-ENRICA study in Spain, researchers found 1,468 participants who were all 60 years or older, and who adhered to a Mediterranean diet. All participants went through three stages of data collection, which included: 

• A phone interview to collect data on health status and lifestyle
• A home visit to collect blood and urine samples
• A second home visit to conduct a physical examination and to record habitual diet

Participants were followed for 6.5 years, at the end of which kidney function was analyzed and compared to participants’ baseline test results.

What they found

After 6.5 years, out of the 975 participants who remained in the study,104 (10.7%) of them experienced kidney function decline. These participants were: 

• Older
• More frequently men
• More frequently current smokers
• Engaged in less household physical activity
• Spending more time watching television
• More often also living with some form of heart disease

Patients with a moderate or high adherence to the Mediterranean diet had less risk of kidney function decline. Researchers found these components of the Mediterranean diet most beneficial in preserving kidney functions:

• Higher vegetable consumption
• Lower intake of sweetened beverages
• Preference for white meat instead of red meat (i.e. beef, pork, hamburgers, sausage)

What it means

Traditional Western diets are rich in refined bread; whole dairy products; and red, processed meats; and low in fruits and vegetables. The findings from this study show that following a Mediterranean diet can help preserve kidney function in older adults. If you’re interested in taking this approach, discuss it with your healthcare team to ensure that it’s appropriate for you. 

*Bayán-Bravo, A., Banegas, J. R., Donat-Vargas, C., Sandoval-Insausti, H., Gorostidi, M., Rodríguez-Artalejo, F., & Guallar-Castillón, P. (2022). The Mediterranean Diet Protects Renal Function in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study. Nutrients, 14(3), 432. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14030432