Citrus fruits are characterized by a leathery rind and white pith that encases juicy segments. One can find citrus fruits all year round. The most common ones consumed in India are Oranges, Sweet lime or Mosambi and Lemon. Grapefruit is a less commonly consumed fruit in our country. Citrus fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C, a nutrient that strengthens the immune system, prevents scurvy and keeps the skin smooth and elastic. Citrus fruits also have good amounts of other vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function properly, including B vitamins, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and copper. They are rich in antioxidants and also have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus fruits are also low on calories and are rich in fiber making it an excellent source for weight loss and cardiovascular benefits. However, Can dialysis patients consume all citrus fruits and how much is what gets imperative here. The potassium content in 100gm of commonly consumed citrus fruits is given below for your reference
| Citrus Fruit – 100 g | Potassium content in mg |
| Indian Orange pulp | 164 |
| Sweet Lime/ Mosambi | 182 |
| Grapefruit | 135 |
| Lemon juice | 113 |
It is evident from the table above that Citrus fruits are moderately high in potassium and consuming only 50 gm of the fruit is acceptable in dialysis patients. It is recommended to consume the fruit as whole pieces and not in juice form as it not only increases fluid content but the fiber is lost. Fiber is an important component in these fruits which will help in binding cholesterol and safeguarding your heart.
Consuming citrus fruits will also help in iron binding and absorption as it is known that Vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron thereby improving hemoglobin levels in dialysis patients.
Lemon juice can also be used as an alternative option to salt to season your foods and get the benefits of citrus fruits.
Hence, it is advisable to include sources of the mentioned portions in your diet to get maximum benefits for your health.
By
Dr. Apeksha Ekbote, Ph.D,RD,CDE
Chief Dietician, NephroPlus