Dr. Jed Warns: 5 Vegetables People with Kidney Disease Should Avoid! Eating the Wrong Ones Burdens the Kidneys and Can Cause Heart Arrhythmias and High Blood Pressure

Dr. Jetsadej Bunyanvongvirocha, Deputy Director of Primary Care at Maha Sarakham Hospital, shares medical guidance on Facebook about vegetables to avoid due to their harmful effects on kidney health.

5 Vegetables People with Kidney Disease Should Avoid!

"Many people, once they learn their kidneys are declining, immediately try to eat more vegetables thinking it's definitely good for them. But for kidney patients, I need to tell you first: 'Some vegetables, if eaten incorrectly, can become a burden on your kidneys.' Especially concerning are potassium and sodium, which your kidneys can no longer eliminate as effectively. If these accumulate excessively, they can affect your heart and blood pressure. So it's not about avoiding vegetables entirely, but about 'knowing what to watch out for' and eating the right amount."

Bitter Greens / Amaranth Greens This vegetable group contains fairly high potassium, approximately 550-700 mg per 100 grams. If consumed in large quantities, especially when blanched or boiled, while these cooking methods reduce some potassium, the levels still remain high. People with stage 3 kidney disease and above should limit intake to no more than half a cup per meal and eat infrequently, as there's a risk of potassium accumulation that can cause undetected heart arrhythmias.

Piper Leaf / Young Peppery Leaf A homegrown vegetable many people enjoy, but it contains high potassium, approximately 400-600 mg per 100 grams. It's typically eaten in multiple servings, leading to hidden accumulation. Especially for those with kidney function below 60, caution is strongly advised. It's recommended to significantly reduce the amount or avoid it entirely if potassium levels are already elevated, as there's a risk of complications.

All Types of Mushrooms (Especially Oyster and Shiitake Mushrooms) Mushrooms contain fairly high potassium, approximately 300-500 mg per 100 grams, and are typically consumed in large quantities in soups, stir-fries, or hot pots. People with mid to late-stage kidney disease should limit consumption to no more than one small teaspoon per meal and avoid eating them multiple times in a single day, as potassium accumulation can occur unknowingly.

Broccoli / Cauliflower This vegetable group contains moderate potassium, approximately 250-350 mg per 100 grams. For the general population, this is considered excellent, but for those with kidney disease, portions must be controlled. It's recommended to eat no more than one small cup per meal and avoid consuming multiple servings in a single day, especially for those with elevated potassium levels. These should be alternated with other vegetable types.

Pickled / Processed Vegetables The concern here is 'sodium,' which is very high, approximately 700-1,200 mg per 100 grams, from the pickling process. This puts greater strain on kidney function to eliminate waste and increases blood pressure. This is especially dangerous for those with kidney disease. It's recommended to avoid these foods, or if you must eat them, rinse them first and consume only the minimum necessary amount.

Dr. Jed also recommends: How to eat vegetables safely?

- Choose low-potassium vegetables such as cucumber, zucchini, or light green Chinese cabbage (approximately <150 mg/100 grams) - Cut into small pieces, soak in water for 2-4 hours, and blanch before discarding the water to reduce potassium - Don't repeatedly eat the same vegetable or consume large quantities in a single meal - Avoid pickled and processed foods to reduce sodium accumulation in the body - If you have stage 4-5 kidney disease, consult a doctor or nutritionist to control portions appropriately

"People with kidney disease can still eat vegetables," Dr. Jed says. "But you need to understand that your kidneys' ability to eliminate potassium and sodium has declined. If you eat the wrong type or too much, mineral levels in your blood can become dangerously high, especially causing heart arrhythmias. So choose wisely, control your portions carefully, and you'll truly help preserve your kidneys and reduce your body's burden in the long term."

A retired police officer turned himself in to authorities after shooting and killing his 38-year-old son, a drug addict, at his home in Moo 7, Ban Takrud Phibal, Wang Nam Lad Subdistrict, Phaisali District, Nakhon Sawan Province. Officers responding to reports of gunfire on May 2 found the victim, Nathapol, with seven gunshot wounds to his torso and arms, still clutching a knife in his right hand. Eight 9mm cartridge casings were recovered from the scene.

The suspect, a 64-year-old former police officer and Phaisali Station regular, surrendered immediately and confessed to shooting his son. He provided his service-issued 9mm pistol as evidence. According to neighbors and the officer's account, the incident escalated when the son demanded money from his mother and was refused. The son became violent, attempting to stab his mother and other family members with a knife while also trying to access his father's gun. Fearing for his family's safety, the retired officer retrieved the weapon and fired, striking his son fatally.

Neighbors described the suspect as a calm individual who had recently retired two years ago. They noted that the son, living separately, frequently visited asking for money and would become belligerent and unstable when denied funds. The violence on this occasion apparently exceeded previous incidents. Police are conducting a detailed investigation and have filed homicide charges while the case proceeds through legal proceedings. Regarding the firearm, as it was a registered weapon used within his own home and the incident occurred on private property, no firearms law violations have been identified at this stage.

At 3:20 AM on May 3rd, police received a report of a man seriously injured by a sharp object near Talad Tep Charoen Market on the New Praannok-Buddha Monthon Lane 4 in Bangkok's Taling Chan district. Officers from Bang Sao Thong Police Station, including Deputy Superintendent Nat Sreesakul, rushed to the scene with rescue volunteers. They found a severely injured man lying unconscious near a stewed meat shop. Despite 30 minutes of CPR attempts by emergency responders, the victim, identified as Chai Dech, 28 years old, died. He had suffered two stab wounds—one to the abdomen and another near his left chest. He was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt and long blue jeans.

Investigation revealed that before the incident, the victim had left an entertainment venue in the Buddha Monthon Lane 4 area in a state of intoxication. While walking, he blocked traffic, quarreled with other motorists, and attempted to smash several vehicles before being found unconscious near the meat shop.

Police forensic officers and medical examiners from Siriraj Hospital conducted an autopsy and gathered evidence from the scene. Investigators are currently reviewing CCTV footage to identify the person responsible for the fatal assault and will proceed with legal action.

A yellow helicopter of unknown origin crashed behind a PTT fuel station near the BTS maintenance center on Sukhumvit Road in Tai Baan Subdistrict, Mueang District, Samut Prakan Province on May 3, 2026 at 9:10 a.m. Rescue teams and ambulances responded immediately to provide emergency care, with preliminary reports indicating at least two people were injured and transported to local hospitals for treatment. At the crash site, helicopter debris was scattered across grassland with sections engulfed in flames and thick black smoke rising continuously, with many pieces severely burned. Rescue personnel and relevant agencies cordoned off the area to prevent further danger while collecting evidence and examining the aircraft wreckage to determine the cause of the crash. Investigation details are still being monitored, with further updates to follow as more information becomes available.

Amata is restructuring its business operations in Laos to adapt to global uncertainties, developing 'Amata City Na Mop' as a manufacturing and export hub focused on smart agriculture and processed food industries targeting Chinese markets. Managing Director Vorawong Tangprapruettakul of Amata City Laos disclosed the company is adjusting development plans to align with global geopolitical conditions and shifting investment trends, implementing flexible development strategies. The project covers over 20,000 acres with the first phase already developing approximately 6,000 acres in a strategically valuable location in Udomxai Province, just 40 kilometers from the Chinese border and adjacent to the Laos-China high-speed railway, significantly reducing logistics costs. The close proximity enables businesses to access Chinese markets quickly, positioning the zone as a potential regional transportation hub to China. Leveraging Laos's renewable energy infrastructure—over 90 percent from hydropower and solar—the company is directing the project toward clean energy, mandating rooftop solar installations for all factories from the outset to support global Net Zero trends, particularly attracting technology and digital sector investors. The project receives substantial tax incentives from the Laotian government, including up to 30 years of corporate income tax exemption, import duty waivers, and VAT exemptions within the zone. The company plans to expand with two additional industrial zones: 'Amata City Na Tae' on approximately 2,000 acres as a logistics and distribution center supporting border trade corridors, and 'Muang Sai,' developed in partnership with Japanese partners as a Smart City and research and development hub for high-value future industries. Tangprapruettakul emphasized the company is managing structural risks through modular infrastructure development, coordinating utility systems with land development and focusing on essential infrastructure. The company is currently constructing a main access road approximately 2 kilometers into the zone to sell land by zones, generating immediate returns rather than full development from the outset. The company has also shifted its target industries from high-tech manufacturing to smart agriculture and processed food production, expecting faster revenue generation within approximately six months. Laos offers competitive advantages including abundant water and electricity resources, agricultural raw materials like rubber at half Thailand's prices, and ideal climate conditions at 600-700 meters elevation for cultivating high-value crops such as strawberries, blueberries, and vanilla. The flexible model allows future land use adjustments to accommodate emerging industries as needed.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that the Gunners are still in the hunt for the Premier League title following their dominant 3-0 victory over Fulham. Arsenal dismantled Fulham at Emirates Stadium on May 2, 2026, with Victor Jeurkerez scoring in the 9th and 45+4th minutes while Bukayo Saka added a third in the 40th minute. The win takes Arsenal to 76 points from 35 matches, extending their lead over second-place Manchester City to 6 points, though City has two games in hand. After the match, the 44-year-old manager praised his team's resilience: "It tells us and our dressing room that we still have hope. What they do is remarkable—not just now, but throughout the season. Winning so many games in difficult circumstances, sometimes without key players available, is incredible." Arteta also looked ahead to Arsenal's upcoming UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid on May 5, urging his team to carry the momentum forward: "We need to take that energy, momentum, and belief into Tuesday. When I look at the atmosphere in the dressing room, I think we're heading in the right direction."