Our kidneys are among the most important organs in our body. Kidneys are responsible for detoxifying the blood. These two bean-shaped organs filter out waste material through urine.

Moreover, the kidneys eliminate excess water from the body and retain it when needed. They also regulate the levels of phosphate, calcium, and other minerals in the body.

Kidneys also help in the regulation of blood pressure. They do this by producing important hormones needed for this function, as well as in the production of red blood cells which carry important nutrients and oxygen throughout the body.

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It is, therefore, important that we maintain our kidneys in good shape. In order to help you maintain the good health of your kidneys, we’ve compiled a list of the most common habits that are dangerous to your kidneys.

Here are 10 of the most common bad kidney habits:

1. Holding your urge to urinate for too long.

If you are fond of not emptying your bladder on time, you will most likely suffer after some time. When you hold your urine when you feel like urinating, the urine will remain in the bladder for a longer period (oh, you don’t say). This allows exponential growth of bacteria breeding in the urine. These dangerous bacteria can lead to kidney or urinary tract infection (UTI). Retaining the urine can cause urinary incontinence and renal failure as it increases the pressure on the kidneys.

RECOMMENDATION: Urinate when you feel like urinating. Don’t make it a habit to hold your urge to urinate, especially over prolonged periods of time.

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2. Low water intake or constant quasi-dehydration.

Did you know that when you feel thirsty, it means that you are technically already dehydrated? Yes. Don’t make it a habit to drink only when you feel thirsty. Your kidneys can be severely damaged if you don’t drink enough water.

What happens when you don’t drink enough liquid? For starters, when your body lacks water, your blood becomes concentrated. A more concentrated blood finds difficulty flowing through veins and arteries. This also impedes the ability of kidneys to flush out the toxins from your body, and the more toxins in the body, of course, the worse it gets.

RECOMMENDATION: Consumes at least 10 to 12 glasses of water a day. If you are living in a hotter region, going beyond 12 glasses is okay. Remember, however, that consuming TOO MUCH liquid is also detrimental to your kidney’s health.

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3. Loving salt too much.

If you like salty food and your indulge yourself in too much salt on a regular basis, you better cut your intake of salt ASAP. Too much salt intake can lead to serious kidney damage and other health issues.

Remember that over ninety percent of the sodium (salt) we consume are processed by our kidneys. If you consume too much salt, your kidneys will have to work much harder in order to excrete the excess salt.

This can result in reduced function of your kidneys, leading to retention of water in your body. Water retention can increase the blood pressure as well as the risk of kidney disease.

According to scientific studies, the intake of salt raises the quantity of urinary protein, which is another risk factor for developing kidney disease. Every amount higher than 5 grams a day is harmful for both, kidneys and your general health. One teaspoon of salt is approximately six grams.

RECOMMENDATION: Cut your salt intake. While our bodies need sodium, it surely does not need too much of it. Eat salty foods in moderation and be sure to hydrate yourself properly.