Snack Smart: Hidden Dangers in Popular Treats That Could Harm Your Kidneys

Trendy snacks like Wax Bottle Candy and Konjac Jelly are going viral worldwide, especially in Asia. However, they may contain hidden ingredients that pose health risks.

In a recent episode of “Health 1+1,” professor Tzung-Hai Yen, a nephrologist at Taiwan’s Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, discussed foods that can harm the kidneys, how to recognize warning signs of kidney distress, and ways to protect kidney health.

Trendy Snacks Pose Health Risks

Take wax bottle candy, for example. Yen said that ingredients are often not listed on the packaging. While it claims the outer layer is made of beeswax, the syrup filling and color additives are not disclosed. Additionally, the place of origin and expiration date are often missing.

There have been reports that wax bottle candies contain carcinogens called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Yen said that long-term consumption of foods containing PAHs may increase the risk of lung cancer. In addition, wax bottle candy may also contain traces of heavy metals, which can harm our organs.

Another trendy treat is the “konjac snack.” Yen cautioned that one pack of the convection contains 227 mg of sodium, accounting for one-tenth of the recommended daily upper limit for adults (2,300 mg). Since regular consumption of high-sodium foods increases the risk of high blood pressure, he reminded us of the need to be fully aware of the following guidelines in purchasing snacks and food in general:

• Pay attention to where the food is produced to ensure it comes from trustworthy sources.
• Pay attention to the expiration date and do not buy expired food.
• Check the packaging. Avoid buying those that show signs of damage, as they may be contaminated.
• In case of doubt, you can always contact the government health department to confirm whether the food is legally registered.

Effects of Excess Alcohol

Yen said that alcohol (ethanol) is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant and has an immense effect on our breathing. The higher the concentration of alcohol in the blood, the greater the inhibitory effect on the CNS, which may lead to respiratory failure or even death in severe cases. The following is the relationship between different blood alcohol concentrations (alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood) and mental dysfunction:

• 20–30mg/dl: inability to concentrate, speaking loudly and with excessive excitement, and reduced cognitive capability
• 30–80 mg/dl: difficulty moving, loss of agility, decreased cognitive functionality, and light confusion
• 80–200 mg/dl: poor movement coordination, walking unsteadily, affected judgment, and blurred cognition
• 200–300mg/dl: incoherent speech and changes in cognitive function
• 400 mg/dl or above: coma, respiratory failure, or even death

Yen said that drinking alcohol may increase the risks of accidents, such as falling and hitting one’s head. Vomiting and then becoming unconscious could choke the respiratory tract, resulting in cardiopulmonary failure and increasing the risk of sudden death. In addition, blood pressure rises while drinking, which may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, he suggested that drinking should be regulated carefully to avoid accidents.

Alcohol can also damage the kidneys. If you have more than four to five drinks within two hours, the amount of alcohol in your blood may surge to dangerous levels, leading to “acute kidney injury.” Heavy drinking can cause blood pressure to rise, directly affecting the kidneys and leading to kidney failure. Long-term drinking or alcohol abuse can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, affect kidney function, and cause kidney disease.

Healthy Eating Habits

Yen said that all of us should pay more attention to having a healthy diet, follow the doctrines of less oil, salt, sugar, and purine, and not smoke or drink. For people with poor kidney function, there are additional points to pay attention to follow:

1. A Low sodium diet. Avoid high-sodium foods, such as konjac snacks and other highly-flavored snacks. High sodium may cause blood pressure to rise and accelerate the deterioration of kidney function.

2. A Low protein diet. Avoid eating meat at every meal. High-protein foods increase the burden on the kidneys and accelerate the deterioration of kidney function.

3. A low-phosphorus diet. Avoid foods high in phosphorus. These foods increase the body’s phosphorus content, leading to hyperphosphatemia, accelerating kidney function deterioration, and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and vascular calcification.

High-phosphorus foods include soda, biscuits, bread, noodles, offal, and meat. It is recommended to choose low-phosphorus foods such as chicken, black soy milk, green beans, and tofu.

4 A low potassium diet. Avoid foods high in potassium. High-potassium foods can cause excessive potassium levels in the body, increase the burden on the kidneys, cause hyperkalemia, and increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmia and cardiovascular disease.

High-potassium foods are mainly fruits and vegetables, such as grapefruit, bananas, oranges, raisins, etc. People with poor kidney function should not eat too many fruits and vegetables.