2. Alcohol
Alcohol can be considered the most socially acceptable drug. Technically a depressant, which means it slows down your brain and affects the way it sends and receives messages, alcohol can also badly damage your kidneys by changing the way they function.
Drinking alcohol frequently can increase the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes, which can be a precursor to kidney disease and can lead to eventual kidney failure. Moderate alcohol consumption isn’t considered a risk to healthy kidneys, but for those who have onset kidney problems, the damage can be extensive.
Alcohol has many other harmful effects. A study published in the Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation Journal discusses the effects of alcohol and the potential for chronic kidney disease. Aside from damage to your kidneys, excessive alcohol consumption also puts you at a higher risk of hypertension and stroke.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than four alcoholic drinks a day can have a negative effect on your health and worsen kidney disease. Though further research is needed to properly understand the relationship between high alcohol consumption and kidney disease, it’s still better to err on the side of caution and limit the amount of alcohol you ingest.