Fact Check: Can Eating Watermelon Clean Kidneys?

Can Kidneys Be Cleaned?

Humans typically have two kidneys, each about the size of a fist, positioned on either side of the spine just below the rib cage. Despite their small size, kidneys perform vital roles in maintaining overall health. They eliminate waste and surplus fluids, filter the blood by preserving necessary substances while discarding harmful ones, aid in red blood cell production, regulate essential vitamins and minerals, control blood pressure, and support bone strength.

The kidneys naturally clean themselves. Kidney cleaning occurs through a process called filtration. Blood flows into the kidneys from the heart via arteries. Within the kidneys, millions of microscopic units called nephrons act as filters to remove waste and excess materials from the bloodstream. The cleansed blood is then returned to circulation through veins. The removed waste becomes urine, which travels through the ureters to the bladder and is eventually excreted through the urethra once the bladder is full. This process is crucial for maintaining fluid balance and removing toxins from the body. It’s important to note that healthy kidneys are self-sustaining and do not require special foods or supplements to function properly.

Can Eating Watermelon Clean Kidneys? 

Watermelon is hydrating and may support kidney health to a limited extent due to its high water and antioxidant content. However, the claim that watermelon "cleans" the kidneys is misleading and not supported by scientific evidence. Kidneys naturally detoxify the body, and no food—including watermelon—can directly cleanse or detox them.

Watermelon is increasingly valued for its nutritional profile and associated health benefits. A review published in the Food Bioscience emphasizes that watermelon, a fruit, is abundant in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and various bioactive compounds that support human metabolic health. Notably, components such as citrulline, amino acids, phenolic compounds, and dietary fiber are identified as key contributors to its health-promoting effects. 

Emerging research points to the potential kidney-protective effects of watermelon, owing to its high antioxidant content. A study published in the Annals of Research in Antioxidants documented a decline in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels in a patient after significant watermelon consumption. The findings indicate that the improvement in renal function may be linked to increased antioxidant activity resulting from the fruit’s intake.

It can be concluded that watermelon may provide certain kidney protective effects but there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus that it can clean the kidneys.

Dr. Vinayak M, Consultant, Department of Nephrology, KIMSHEALTH, Trivandrum, told Medical Dialogues, "Fruits, in general, are rich in vitamins and antioxidants and offer many benefits for overall health. Watermelon, in particular, has a high water content and may help keep you hydrated. However, beyond these general benefits, there is no evidence to specifically suggest that eating watermelon can cleanse the kidneys. Such statements can be misleading and may divert attention away from seeking proper medical advice for those who may have kidney ailments."

To this, Dr. Satish B, Consultant, Department of Nephrology, KIMSHEALTH Trivandrum added, "The kidneys work 24 hours a day to reset the environment outside the cells (called the extracellular space) so that the composition of the fluid in which all the cells reside remains stable, allowing the cells to function optimally. The kidneys have undergone millions of years of evolution to perform this task. They do not accumulate dirt or waste but instead do a perfect job of maintaining stable levels of acids, bases, and electrolytes. Therefore, it stands to reason that all housekeeping functions of the kidneys are well taken care of, and the kidneys continue to function smoothly, even in old age. There are no substances that can do a better job, and to suggest that watermelon juice, orange juice, or any other item can "cleanse" the kidneys is an insult to this remarkable organ. That is pure falsehood—nothing more, nothing less."

Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team

The claim that eating watermelon can "clean" the kidneys is FALSE. Watermelon is a hydrating, nutritious fruit that supports overall wellness, but it does not have the ability to cleanse or detox the kidneys. While hydration is important for kidney function, no food or drink replaces the kidneys’ complex filtering role or can repair kidney damage.

Hence, the claim is FALSE.