Are you having swelling and puffiness in your body lately? Perhaps you’re suffering from stiff joints or a general bloated feeling. If this is the case, then you may be suffering from water retention. Did you know that water makes up 70% of your total body weight, 50% of body fat contains water, and 75% of muscle tissue is made up of water. In essence water is a huge part of your health and water retention can be a huge problem.
If you have suffered from water retention for a while, then it would be in your best interest to know how to get rid of water retention as well as seeking medical help to rule out pathological conditions that could be detrimental to your overall health. If your condition is less severe, then the following water retention remedies will help you to rid your body of the excess water.
Water Retention Remedies
1. Drink More Water
You might think that when you are trying to reduce water retention in your body, you should stop drinking water; but this is not the case. Water retention usually indicates that the body is trying to hold more water as a precaution for fear that it may lose more water. By drinking the daily recommended amount of water (8 glasses a day), you will actually help to fight water retention.
2. Cut out Salt and Sugar
By cutting out salt and sugar from your diet you’re helping to unclog your body’s water tissue. If you cut out sodium for 2-3 days, you’ll be sure to notice a difference in your symptoms associated with water retention. By cutting out sugar you’re allowing your body to properly digest sodium which would help to prevent clogs in your system.
3. Get Moving
One of the most effective water retention remedies is to move your body by exercising. When you exercise, it prompts your body to produce sweat. Sweat enables your body to get rid of excess water and toxins. You don’t need a gym membership to begin exercising; even just daily walks would go a long way to reduce your water retention.
4. Eat Diuretic Food
By eating more diuretic foods, you’re allowing your body to pee more. By peeing more, your body is releasing more fluids and toxins. You may wonder if you can just take a pill to get the same effects that you would from diuretic food, and the short answer is yes. Just note that it’s not nearly as an effective method as introducing more diuretic foods into your diet. Some of the examples of diuretic food include grapes, tomatoes, pumpkin, cabbage, carrots, etc.
5. Potassium Rich Foods Are Key
When considering water retention remedies to try, you should really try to incorporate potassium rich foods into your diet. Potassium is a natural electrolyte that helps to keep water balanced in your body. Your kidneys will also be stimulated by the potassium and in turn flush waste out of your body. Fruit is one of the most common ways to consume potassium.
6. Use a Clove of Garlic
Garlic is a very common ingredient to use while cooking, but its use goes above and beyond bringing flavor to a dish. You can actually use garlic as aneffective water retention remedy. Garlic is a great natural diuretic for you. Besides, garlic can actually break down fat in your body. The most effective method for using garlic as a natural remedy for water retention is to chew a couple of garlic cloves in the morning and to continue or begin using fresh garlic in your everyday cooking.
7. A Yogurt a Day
When trying to think of how to get rid of water retention, an easy thing for you to do (barring dietary restrictions) would be to consume yogurt. Yogurt is a great source of protein. Protein helps to keep salt and water in your blood vessels. This is key to preventing blood from leaking into your tissues. If you can’t eat yogurt, then other foods high in protein would be just as effective.
8. Dandelions Are Great
Dried dandelions can be steeped to make a tea and make a great diuretic. Dandelion also has theadded benefit of being high in magnetism which is helpful to women who suffer from premenstrual cramps. If you’re more comfortable with taking a pill, there are dandelion supplements that you can get over the counter. As with any supplement, if you’re taking prescription medications please consult your doctor to make sure it doesn’t interfere.
9. Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salt not only is one of the great water retention remedies, but it also helps to reduce bloatingby reversing osmosis. Epsom salt baths can help to get the toxins and excessive fluids out of your body while relaxing your muscles and nerves. All you need to do is soak in a bath of Epsom salt for 15 minutes up to 3 times a week.
10. Fennel Seed Tea
Much like with the dried dandelions, you can make a tea out of the fennel seeds and hot water. Before drinking your tea, remember to strain the seeds after steeping them for 10 minutes. Fennel is a natural diuretic and also works to help your kidneys waste output.