Did you know your body has two little bean-shaped organs that are always working hard to keep you healthy? They’re called kidneys, and they’re one of the most important parts of your body.
Let’s take a simple look at what kidneys do and why they’re so amazing.
What are kidneys?
Your kidneys are about the size of your fists, and they sit on either side of your lower back, just below your ribs. Even though they’re small, each kidney is packed with tiny filters called nephrons—and there are about a million in each one.
These filters help clean your blood and remove waste. Think of your kidneys as two hardworking cleaning machines that never take a day off.
What do kidneys do?
Every day, your kidneys filter about 50 gallons of blood. That’s enough to fill a big bathtub, their main job is to
* Remove waste from your blood
* Balance water and salts
* Make urine
When your body uses food for energy, it creates waste products—just like a car makes exhaust. That waste goes into your blood, and your kidneys filter it out.
They mix the waste with extra water to make urine, which travels down two small tubes (called ureters) into your bladder.
When your bladder is full, you feel the need to go to the bathroom—and out it goes.
What else do kidneys do?
Your kidneys don’t just clean! They also:
* Help control blood pressure
* Tell your body to make red blood cells
* Keep your bones strong
They do this by sending out special chemical messengers called hormones. That’s right—your kidneys are also smart communicators.
From water to urine- A day in the life of a kidney
Let’s follow a glass of water through your body
1. You drink a nice cool glass of water.
2. Your body uses what it needs for energy and health.
3. The rest, including waste and extra water, goes into your blood.
4. Your kidneys filter the blood and make urine.
5. Urine travels to the bladder.
6. You go to the bathroom—and your body feels better.
How to keep your kidneys healthy
Here are some easy ways to be kind to your kidneys:
Drink lots of water – This helps them flush out waste.
Eat healthy foods – Fruits and vegetables help your kidneys do their job.
Don’t eat too much salty or junk food – Too much salt can make kidneys work too hard.
Go to the bathroom when you need to – Don’t hold your urine.
Get exercise – Moving your body helps keep your kidneys and whole body strong.
Kidney facts
* You can live with just one kidney. People can even donate a kidney and still be healthy.
* Kidneys filter your blood 300 times a day.
* They help make urine by removing a waste called urea.
Your kidneys may be small, but they’re superstars when it comes to keeping you clean and healthy. So drink your water, eat your veggies, and give your kidneys a big cheer for all their hard work!
