Too Much Consume Canned Food Can Increase Kidney Risk

The food packed in cans like canned soups are a quick and easy option to tackle hunger in the middle of the night. However, too many canned foods has been linked to kidney problems.

According to a new study published in the journal Kidney International, the chemicals used to produce the layers of canned food can harm the kidneys. It also can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease at the same time.

The study was conducted by analyzing urine samples from 667 children between the ages of 6 to 19 years. Researchers wanted to compare the levels of bisphenol A (BPA), which is used to make epoxy coatings on food cans with high levels of a protein called albumin.

Too much albumin in the urine indicate a kidney problem is a precursor to chronic kidney disease and heart disease.

Researchers found that children who had the highest levels of BPA in the body, it also has high levels of albumin in the urine. This condition is most commonly found in children who are overweight and fond of eating canned food.

Actually, if a person is healthy kidney, albumin will not leak into the urine. But animal studies have shown that BPA can cause oxidative stress in kidney tissue and the abnormal increase levels of albumin in the urine.

"Unfortunately, the damage to the kidneys can affect other organs such as the heart, since renal function is crucial," said Howard Trachtman, MD, lead author of the study who is a clinical professor of pediatrics at New York University School of Medicine, as reported by prevention, Wednesday (01/30/2013).

Albumin is also a biomarker for endothelial dysfunction, a condition in which the lining of the blood vessels can not be widened to the optimum. This can increase your risk of stroke, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.

Although the study was conducted on children and adolescents, previous studies have shown that BPA has a similar effect on the level of albumin adults. Avoid canned foods to prevent high-level exposure to BPA. Choose fresh food products and buy products in cartons or glass jars instead.