Spain’s Spanish Society of Nephrology (SEN) is calling on the public to pay attention to kidney health during the summer months, warning that high temperatures, poor diet, and changes in daily routine can strain the organs or worsen existing conditions.
The society’s president, Dr. Emilio Sanchez, said summer could become a great ally for health if people used the season to adopt healthier habits. He said proper hydration, a balanced diet, and physical exercise were simple measures that help protect the kidneys and prevent diseases that can become very serious.
Ten habits for kidney health
SEN specialists published a ten-point guide aimed at keeping kidneys healthy over the summer. The recommendations cover hydration, diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices.
- Stay properly hydrated. Water should be the main source of fluids, especially on hot days when the body loses more liquid through sweating.
- Cut back on processed foods. These products contain high levels of sodium, phosphates, sugars, and additives that increase the kidneys’ workload.
- Avoid tobacco. Holidays should not become an excuse to restart a habit that harms both kidney and cardiovascular health.
- Plan meals better. Summer offers more time to cook and follow a healthier diet based on fruits, vegetables, grains, and fresh foods.
- Choose fish over meat. Alternating white and oily fish with eggs and legumes supports a more balanced diet.
- Control salt intake. This is especially important when eating out.
- Use olive oil as the main fat. A staple of the Mediterranean diet with widely recognised health benefits.
- Stay active. Rest does not mean inactivity. Swimming or moderate exercise improves physical and mental health.
- Walk at least one hour a day. For those who do not play sport, a brisk daily walk is one of the simplest and most effective ways to add physical activity.
- Avoid excess weight and fad diets. Weight loss should be pursued through balanced eating and exercise, and always without dietary supplements unless recommended by a health professional.
Chronic kidney disease affects seven million in Spain
The SEN also used the summer campaign to highlight the scale of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Spain. The condition currently affects 15 percent of the Spanish population across all stages, including undiagnosed cases, amounting to around seven million people. A further 68,403 patients require dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive. The prevalence of renal replacement therapy, meaning dialysis or transplant, has risen 30 percent over the past decade in Spain.
Dr. Sanchez said there was still little public awareness of the importance of kidney health. He said many people regularly monitor their cholesterol or blood pressure but do not pay the same attention to their kidneys. He said changing that perception was essential to prevent a disease that continues to grow every year and can seriously affect the quality of life of those who suffer from it and their families.
The SEN noted that kidney health is closely linked to cardiovascular health, meaning that protecting the heart also means protecting the kidneys. The society said the habits promoted for summer should be maintained throughout the year.
