Kidney disease is a common health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. For those with chronic kidney disease or kidney failure, following a healthy diet is crucial for supporting kidney function and overall health. Carrots contain certain nutrients that may benefit the kidneys, but they also contain compounds that some sources advise limiting for those with kidney issues. This article examines the potential benefits and downsides of eating carrots for people with kidney disease.
Carrots Nutrition Facts
Carrots are low in calories but packed with important vitamins, minerals and plant compounds. Here are some of the main nutrients found in a 1 cup (128 grams) serving of raw carrots (1):
- Calories: 52
- Protein: 1.2 grams
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Vitamin A: 432% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin K: 21% of the DV
- Vitamin C: 15% of the DV
- Potassium: 12% of the DV
- Manganese: 12% of the DV
- Biotin: 9% of the DV
Carrots also provide small amounts of thiamine, niacin, folate and pantothenic acid.
They are rich in carotenoids, which are antioxidants that give carrots their bright orange color. The most common carotenoid is beta carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A.
Summary: Carrots are low in calories and high in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium. They also contain antioxidants called carotenoids.
Benefits of Carrots for Kidney Health
Below are some of the top ways that carrots may benefit kidney health:
Good Source of Vitamin A
Carrots are one of the best sources of vitamin A, primarily in the form of beta carotene. Vitamin A plays several important roles in kidney health.
Your kidneys help activate vitamin A compounds so they can be used by your body. Vitamin A promotes good kidney function by helping maintain the nephrons, which are tiny structures inside your kidneys that filter blood.
It also appears to decrease kidney injury and inflammation while enhancing kidney function overall (2, 3).
Plus, vitamin A helps keep your central nervous system, teeth, bones and skin healthy.
Since vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, kidney disease can sometimes cause vitamin A deficiency. This makes vitamin A important for those following a kidney disease diet (4).
May Lower Kidney Stone Risk
Dehydration and excess oxalate in your urine are two primary risk factors for developing kidney stones.
Drinking carrot juice may help lower kidney stone risk by increasing urine volume and pH, which can prevent crystallization. The carotenoids found in carrots may also inhibit stone formation (5).
One study gave people different juices loaded with oxalate. Drinking carrot juice over an eight-day period was found to decrease oxalate levels in the urine by up to 45% (6).
Support Blood Sugar Control
Poor blood sugar control can negatively impact kidney function, especially in those with diabetes. Carrots contain fiber and antioxidants that support healthy blood sugar levels.
The fiber in carrots slows digestion, preventing spikes in blood sugar. And eating foods high in antioxidants like carrots has been linked to better blood sugar management (7).
One study found that supplementing with carrot juice concentrate lowered blood sugar levels after a high-carb meal by nearly 35% (8).
Other research shows that eating carrots regularly for 12 weeks reduced hemoglobin A1c — a marker of long-term blood sugar control — by nearly 4% in women with diabetes (9).
Promote Heart Health
Chronic kidney disease is strongly linked to heart disease, with most people dying from kidney failure actually suffering from heart disease (10).
Carrots contain nutrients like vitamin C, potassium and carotenoids that may boost heart health for people with kidney issues. Vitamin C reduces inflammation linked to heart disease while potassium helps lower blood pressure (11, 12).
Carotenoids have also been tied to improved heart health. One study found that a higher intake of carotenoids was associated with up to a 27% lower risk of heart disease (13).
May Reduce Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is common in kidney disease and linked to complications like atherosclerosis and kidney scarring (14).
The antioxidants in carrots, including beta carotene and anthocyanins, can reduce inflammation and protect kidney cells from damage by neutralizing free radicals (15).
This may help slow kidney damage and prevent disease progression.
Downsides of Carrots for Kidney Health
Despite the potential benefits, carrots do contain certain compounds that some sources advise restricting on a kidney diet:
Oxalates
Carrots contain oxalate, a compound that can contribute to kidney stones in some people prone to them.
Those with a history of oxalate kidney stones may want to limit intake of foods high in oxalates like carrots. However, other sources say restricting oxalates is unnecessary (16).
Drinking carrot juice seems to actually lower oxalate levels in urine, so whole carrots are likely fine for the majority of kidney stone formers (6).
Potassium
Carrots are relatively high in potassium, which can build up to dangerously high levels in kidney failure.
However, potassium is only a major concern in end stage kidney disease requiring dialysis. Most chronic kidney disease patients don’t need to restrict potassium (17).
What’s more, potassium helps lower blood pressure and supports heart health, so avoiding potassium-rich foods like carrots may do more harm than good for those in the early stages of kidney disease (18).
Those on dialysis or with end stage kidney failure may need to moderate carrot intake and avoid very high potassium foods like juices due to their high potassium content in concentrated form.
Beta Carotene
Carrots are among the best sources of beta carotene. While this antioxidant is linked to health benefits, some sources advise caution regarding beta carotene supplements for kidney disease patients.
In those with diabetes, high dose beta carotene supplements may increase the risk of disease progression (19).
Beta carotene from foods like carrots has not been linked to any adverse effects, even in kidney disease patients with diabetes (20).
Still, it may be wise for kidney patients — especially diabetics — to get beta carotene from whole food sources like carrots instead of supplements, which provide very concentrated amounts.
Are Carrots a Kidney-Friendly Food?
Based on the potential benefits and minimal risks, carrots can be part of a kidney-friendly diet for most people with kidney issues.
Here’s a quick summary:
- Carrots are low in calories and high in nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and antioxidants.
- Carrots may promote kidney health by reducing inflammation, lowering kidney stone risk, supporting heart health and helping manage blood sugar.
- Oxalates and potassium in carrots are generally not a concern for those in early-stage kidney failure.
- While beta carotene supplements may be risky, beta carotene from carrots is safe and healthy.
For people with end stage kidney disease on dialysis, excess potassium is a concern, so carrot intake should be moderated.
But for most people with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease, eating carrots is encouraged as part of an overall healthy kidney diet.
How Many Carrots Can You Eat with Kidney Disease?
There is no standardized recommendation for how many carrots kidney patients can eat.
The main concern is keeping portions reasonable to prevent excess potassium, oxalates and vitamin A.
As a general guideline, 1–2 carrots per day or around 1 cup (128 grams) is considered safe for most people with kidney issues. Juice intake should be limited to 4–6 ounces (118–177 ml) per day.
Those on dialysis or with end stage kidney failure should limit high potassium foods like carrots and carrot juice to smaller portions a few times per week at most.
It’s also wise to focus on eating carrots raw or lightly cooked instead of juicing them, which concentrates the nutrients.
Additionally, pair carrots with other low potassium foods and make sure to stay hydrated to reduce any potential risks.
Healthy Ways to Eat Carrots with Kidney Disease
Here are simple, healthy ways to add carrots to your kidney-friendly diet:
- Dip raw carrots in hummus, salsa or nut butter.
- Grate carrots over salads, scrambled eggs or avocado toast.
- Roast carrot sticks tossed lightly in avocado oil and spices.
- Add shredded carrots to tuna or chicken salad.
- Stir grated carrots into rice, pasta or quinoa dishes.
- Roast chopped carrots with olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs.
- Add raw carrots to smoothies.
- Simmer carrots in bone broth or vegetable soup.
Focus on eating carrots whole or in main dishes, rather than juicing them.
Precautions
Here are a few precautions to keep in mind regarding carrots with kidney disease:
- Limit carrot juice intake to 4–6 ounces (118–177 ml) per day and avoid large amounts.
- People prone to oxalate stones should meet with a renal dietitian before increasing carrot intake.
- Those on dialysis or with advanced kidney failure should moderate carrot and carrot juice portions.
- Pair carrots with other low potassium vegetables and fruits.
- Keep hydrated and don’t overdo it on carotene-rich foods.
- Get vitamin A from food sources like carrots rather than supplements.
Bottom Line
Carrots are packed with important nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, potassium and antioxidants.
For most people with chronic kidney disease, eating carrots is safe and healthy as part of a kidney-friendly diet.
Yet those with end stage renal disease or on dialysis may need to moderate their intake due to the potassium.
Overall, carrots make a nutritious, low calorie addition to a balanced diet for managing kidney disease.