Final answer:
Phytonutrients help in maintaining kidney health primarily through reduced inflammation, which is essential in preventing kidney damage. Dietary potassium, a phytonutrient, is also useful for reducing hypertension, thereby supporting kidney function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The benefit of phytonutrients for kidney health is related to reduced inflammation. Phytonutrients, which are found abundantly in fruits and vegetables, can have anti-inflammatory effects. This is crucial for kidney health because inflammation can lead to kidney damage or exacerbate existing kidney conditions.
Specifically, dietary potassium, a type of phytonutrient, has been shown to have a beneficial effect on blood pressure. Higher intake of potassium is inversely associated with hypertension, a major risk factor for kidney disease.
Potassium helps to mitigate pro-inflammatory events in vascular smooth muscle cells, reduce platelet aggregation, and decrease renal vascular resistance, all of which collectively contribute to the maintenance of healthy blood pressure levels.