Lemon and your kidneys
Potassium, phosphorus, protein and salt in lemon, per 100 grams and per portion, and what it means when you have kidney disease. The figures come from the Norwegian food composition table.
Is lemon good for your kidneys?
Lemon is a nice flavour, also in water, and can make it easier to drink enough and use less salt. A slice of lemon gives around 20 mg of potassium. Lemon water does not cleanse the kidneys and does not improve kidney function.
Per 100 grams
- Potassium
- 138 mgLow potassium
- Phosphorus
- 16 mg
- Protein
- 1.1 g
- Salt
- 0 gLow salt
Per portion
| Portion | Potassium (mg) | Phosphorus (mg) | Protein (g) | Salt (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slice (15 g) | 20 | 2 | 0.2 | 0 |
| Piece (80 g) | 110 | 13 | 0.9 | 0 |
How much potassium is in lemon?
Lemon: 138 mg of potassium per 100 grams, which is low 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.
How much phosphorus is in lemon?
Lemon: 16 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 fruit and berries
All figures per 100 grams. Tap a food to see it.
Fruit and berries (21)
| Food | Potassium (mg) | Phosphorus (mg) | Protein (g) | Salt (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemon | 138, low potassium | 16 | 1.1 | 0 |
| Banana | 348, high potassium | 26 | 1.1 | 0 |
| Apple | 63, low potassium | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Orange | 158, medium potassium | 21 | 0.9 | 0 |
| Pear | 164, medium potassium | 16 | 0.4 | 0 |
| Grapes | 215, medium potassium | 19 | 0.7 | 0 |
| Kiwi | 295, medium potassium | 33 | 0.9 | 0 |
| Strawberries | 197, medium potassium | 29 | 0.5 | 0 |
| Blueberries | 122, low potassium | 29 | 1 | 0 |
| Raspberries | 186, medium potassium | 45 | 1.1 | 0 |
| Watermelon | 100, low potassium | 9 | 0.8 | 0 |
| Honeydew melon | 235, medium potassium | 12 | 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Pineapple | 123, low potassium | 6 | 0.1 | 0 |
| Mango | 149, low potassium | 11 | 0.2 | 0 |
| Avocado | 583, high potassium | 57 | 1.8 | 0 |
| Plum | 199, medium potassium | 21 | 0.5 | 0 |
| Clementine | 154, medium potassium | 19 | 0.9 | 0 |
| Dried apricots | 1,300, high potassium | 87 | 3 | 0 |
| Raisins | 907, high potassium | 102 | 3.3 | 0.1 |
| Dates | 727, high potassium | 68 | 2.4 | 0 |
| Prunes | 734, high potassium | 69 | 2.3 | 0 |
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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