What Are The Best Natural Remedies For Water Retention

Many things can cause water retention – from long flights to shifting hormones to eating too much salt. Retaining water never feels good. In fact, if you have ever experienced it before, you may have felt bloated, swollen or largely uncomfortable. The good news is that there are easy, natural remedies for water retention that you can try at home. Keep reading for 10 tips to try.

 

Causes of Water Retention

Commonly referred to as edema, water retention is when your body holds onto too much water. First thing to remember is that our bodies are made up of mainly water. As a result, it’s not surprising that this condition happens periodically.

Our blood, muscles, organs, and even our bones contain water. However, when we retain too much water, it can show itself in a variety of ways.

Sometimes you may notice your belly feels extra puffy and heavy, or your hands and feet may appear swollen. In short, this can be the result of imbalanced hydration in the body.

 

Common Reasons for Edema

There are many common reasons for water to be retained in the body. In fact, some of them include:

• too much sodium in the diet
• dehydration
• hot weather
• changing hormones (menstrual cycles)
• vitamin deficiencies
• high blood pressure
• certain medications

There are a variety of other reasons why edema happens in the body, but these are the most common ones.

 

Symptoms of Water Retention

Fluid can build up in a variety of different places in the body. It is most common to notice a puffy appearance or swollen, stiff joints.

Many women struggle with water retention in the days leading up to their periods. And it is very common for end-of-term pregnant women to get swollen legs and feet.

Sometimes edema shows up as a full, heavy, bloated abdomen. Other indications can include a rounder, puffy-looking face, swollen fingers and rapid weight gain.

 

Is It Your Diet or Lifestyle?

If you have commonly experienced water retention, then you need to look at your diet and lifestyle first. For example, we all require sodium in our bodies for blood pressure and fluid regulation. But too much, which is easily done, can be problematic.

Sodium comes in the form of table salt. Furthermore, it is also found in processed, packaged foods and fast food, in high amounts.

Be aware of your nutrition labels to watch out for hidden salt that may be affecting your fluid retention.

By the same token, adding potassium-rich foods such as spinach or bananas into your daily routine can also help. 

Drinking water is also important to remember.

If you sit or stand a lot during the day, you may suffer from edema. One of the best ways to avoid water retention is to regularly move your body so that the blood keeps circulating.

Try getting up from your desk every so often to stretch and move your limbs. It can help with your circulation and prevent future swelling.

Keep in mind that certain medications (like birth control pills, NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, anti-depressants and corticosteroids) can cause water retention as a side effect.

Always check with your doctor to see if your prescription could be the culprit. Maybe there are other alternatives you could try.

 

Should I Be Concerned About Water Retention?

Water retention is a common issue due to many lifestyle and diet factors. However, persistent edema can be a sign of something more serious.

If you have experienced chronic edema and you don’t know why, it is best to consult a doctor to find out why it may be happening to you. There may be underlying conditions in the heart, lungs, veins, ovaries, liver or kidneys that may be causing this.

So you should always get checked out by a doctor just to be safe.

Swelling in late-term pregnancy is common. However, puffy hands and face can also be an indicator of preeclampsia. This is a serious medical condition that affects a mother-to-be’s blood pressure. See a doctor if you have any concerns over this.

 

Natural Remedies For Water Retention

If you do not suspect there could be a serious underlying condition for your edema, there are home remedies you can try to minimize your symptoms. Here’s the list of natural things that we found which may help reduce your swelling.

 

1. Lemon Juice Water

Try this great morning drink to start your day when you’re feeling bloated! Squeeze half of a lemon into a mug of warm water. Add honey to taste if you wish.

This soothing tonic acts as a diuretic to help flush some of the fluids out of the body. Try it for a couple of days to see a difference in your belly!

 

2. Potassium-Rich Foods

Water retention can happen when the body is low in potassium. Try adding some of these potassium-rich foods into your diet to help your body get rid of excess sodium build-up:

• bananas
• cooked spinach
• cooked broccoli
• oranges
• grapefruit
• cantaloupe
• avocados
• lentils
• potatoes
• dried fruits
• beans (lima, pinto, kidney, soya)

 

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

This tart vinegar can help to lower sodium levels in the body, which can reduce puffiness. In addition, apple cider vinegar can help to balance the body’s pH levels.

Try a foot bath with warm water and a cup of apple cider vinegar to help soak tired, swollen feet.

 

4. Cut Back On Sodium

Try to limit your sodium intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams per day. Reduce your intake of fast food, sodas and processed foods (deli meats, crackers, chips etc.).

Shop the perimeter of your grocery store so that you load up on real, fresh food. Always limit your buying of packaged foods as they are generally loaded with hidden sodium.

Use spices and herbs to perk up the flavor of your cooking. Spices add variety to your food, and can even help trim your waistline!

 

5. Add Protein

Getting adequate amounts of healthy, lean proteins is essential to helping you fill up and not out. It is essential when trying to lose weight. In addition, protein also helps to balance the water in your body.

A unique protein called albumin, which is created in the liver, is responsible for keeping fluids in check. Albumin keeps fluids in your bloodstream so that they don’t spill out and create swelling in other areas of the body.

 

6. Drink Water

Staying hydrated is vital to keeping your body alive and working properly. Every cell, tissue and organ depends on water.

When you are dehydrated, your body doesn’t have enough fluid to operate they way it should. So it tries to pull water back into the affected areas. This can cause swelling.

Although it may seem counter-intuitive, drinking more water actually helps you have to release fluid. Therefore, bloating and swelling are reduced.

When you have drink water, you have give your body more hydration. In turn, it can let go of some of that puffiness and water retention.

Studies show that adequate hydration helps keep your body working properly. It also helps regulate body temperature, moods, sleep, keeps joints lubricated and aids in digestion – just to name a few things!

Water doesn’t have to be boring. There are also other wonderful diet-friendly drinks that can help you stay hydrated with flavor!

 

7. Cranberry Juice

This natural diuretic can help reduce symptoms of edema. However, make sure to look for the unsweetened kind.

Try replacing one glass of water with one glass of unsweetened cranberry juice each day to help fight water retention. Foods that are high in vitamin C also act as natural diuretics. Consider eating more citrus fruit, peppers and strawberries to help combat edema.

 

8. Raise Your Feet Up

Fluids tend to pool in the lowest parts of the body. So try to elevate your feet just above heart level while lying down a few times per day. This can help reduce swelling in the feet and legs.

 

9. Compression Stockings

Wearing compression stockings or leggings may feel tight and uncomfortable at first. However, the purpose of them is to help prevent fluid build-up in the legs and feet.

This natural squeezing effect from these products helps with circulation so that blood doesn’t pool in the lower limbs. Compression stockings and leggings can be found online or in athletic-type retail shops.

 

10. Get Some Exercise

Exercise is so important for good health. In addition to general health benefits, getting regular, heart-pumping exercise can help reduce water retention by increasing blood flow and improving circulation in the body. This can be helpful in relieving swollen legs and feet.

Also, when you exercise, stored glycogen is burned. This helps reduce excess water build-up.

Sweating during exercise can also help flush out sodium stores and fluid build-up. Saunas and steam rooms can also be helpful to induce sweating and remove excess water in the body.

Just be sure to drink plenty of water after a workout or sauna to help prevent dehydration.

 

Natural Remedies For Water Retention Final Thoughts…

Water retention is a common problem for many. It may make you feel swollen or puffy in different parts in your body. Generally, it is a treatable condition that has been brought on by lifestyle and/or dietary choices.

Not all of the above suggestions are guaranteed to solve your water retention, as the reason for the problem will differ by individual. But these ideas may provide some relief.

However, if your water retention (edema) is chronic or persistent, be sure to have it checked out by a doctor to rule out further serious conditions.

Do you have any tips or tricks for dealing with water retention? Tell us about them in the comments below.

 

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