Red pepper and your kidneys
Potassium, phosphorus, protein and salt in red pepper, per 100 grams and per portion, and what it means when you have kidney disease. The figures come from the Norwegian food composition table.
Are peppers good for your kidneys?
Yes. A red pepper gives around 310 mg of potassium. Green peppers have about half as much, 120 compared with 216 mg per 100 grams, and are a better choice if you need to limit potassium.
Per 100 grams
- Potassium
- 216 mgMedium potassium
- Phosphorus
- 23 mg
- Protein
- 0.8 g
- Salt
- 0 gLow salt
Per portion
| Portion | Potassium (mg) | Phosphorus (mg) | Protein (g) | Salt (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piece (145 g) | 310 | 35 | 1.2 | 0 |
| Slice (10 g) | 20 | 2 | 0.1 | 0 |
How much potassium is in red pepper?
Red pepper: 216 mg of potassium per 100 grams, which is medium by Metodebok's grouping: under 150 mg per 100 grams is low, 150 to 300 mg medium, and over 300 mg high. What you eat is the portion, so see the numbers per portion above.
With less potassium
If you need to limit potassium, these foods in the same group are low in potassium, per 100 grams.
- Boiled carrot: 111 mg
- Boiled swede: 122 mg
Can cooking remove potassium?
Yes, from potatoes and vegetables. Peel them, cut them into small pieces or thin slices, boil them in plenty of water for at least ten minutes, pour the water off and finish cooking in fresh water. That removes about half of the potassium. Soaking alone does little.
How much phosphorus is in red pepper?
Red pepper: 23 mg of phosphorus per 100 grams. Phosphorus from plants is absorbed less than phosphorus from meat, milk and additives. Phosphate added to processed food (E338 to E341, E450 to E452) is absorbed almost completely and is not in the table, so check the ingredient list.
What does this mean for you?
How much potassium, phosphorus and protein you should eat depends on your blood tests, your stage and whether you are on dialysis. Many people with kidney disease do not need to limit potassium at all. Do not cut out fruit and vegetables unless your doctor or a clinical dietitian has asked you to.
Salt applies to everyone with kidney disease: under 5 grams a day helps blood pressure and the kidneys.
Compared with other vegetables
All figures per 100 grams. Tap a food to see it.
Vegetables (21)
| Food | Potassium (mg) | Phosphorus (mg) | Protein (g) | Salt (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrot | 233, medium potassium | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| Boiled carrot | 111, low potassium | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Broccoli | 385, high potassium | 64 | 2.9 | 0 |
| Boiled broccoli | 195, medium potassium | 57 | 2.4 | 0 |
| Cauliflower | 300, medium potassium | 39 | 1.7 | 0 |
| Boiled cauliflower | 150, medium potassium | 35 | 1.5 | 0 |
| Tomato | 245, medium potassium | 23 | 0.4 | 0 |
| Cucumber | 175, medium potassium | 27 | 0.8 | 0 |
| Red pepper | 216, medium potassium | 23 | 0.8 | 0 |
| Onion | 185, medium potassium | 30 | 1 | 0 |
| Iceberg lettuce | 245, medium potassium | 21 | 1 | 0 |
| Spinach | 735, high potassium | 44 | 2.8 | 0.1 |
| Kale | 530, high potassium | 56 | 3.3 | 0 |
| Mushrooms | 349, high potassium | 85 | 2.3 | 0 |
| Peas | 220, medium potassium | 100 | 4.9 | 0 |
| Boiled swede | 122, low potassium | 31 | 0.8 | 0 |
| White cabbage | 250, medium potassium | 28 | 1.2 | 0 |
| Boiled beetroot | 223, medium potassium | 37 | 1.7 | 0.1 |
| Courgette | 248, medium potassium | 38 | 1.3 | 0 |
| Asparagus | 202, medium potassium | 52 | 2.2 | 0 |
| Tomato purée | 1,257, high potassium | 94 | 4.8 | 1 |
Source: the Norwegian Food Composition Table 2026 (Matvaretabellen), from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, the Directorate of Health and the University of Oslo. The potassium levels follow Metodebok. Salt is calculated from sodium (1 gram of sodium is 2.5 grams of salt).
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