Water retention remedies

Medically called Edema, water retention is a condition in which there is an accumulation of excessive water in the interstitial tissues of the body. Water retention generally occurs on account of flaws in the dietary regimen. Some of the water retention foods that must be avoided so as to relieve the symptoms of water retention are as follows:

Water Retention Diet

• Excessive consumption of salt or sodium is one of the major causes of edema in the body. As such, the consumption of foods with a higher content of sodium like legumes, meat, cheese, olives, spinach, oysters, buttermilk, Swiss chard, and chick peas must be restricted in one’s diet. Also, processed or canned foods are high in sodium content. So, these foods must also be avoided. It must be kept in mind that although some amount of sodium is required in your diet, its excessive level must be controlled.

• You may consume at least two bananas a day to avert water retention in your body. Bananas contain potassium which helps eliminate fluid retention.

• You must include a lot of cabbage in your diet so as to avert water retention. Cabbage is a diuretic that helps you excrete the extra water and fluids, thereby protecting you from water retention.

• You may also consume cranberry juice to combat water retention on account of its diuretic property.

• You may consume yogurt to flush out excessive fluid content and prevent water retention in the body.

• You may consume parsley to avert water retention. You must add two teaspoons of parsley leaves in boiling water, steep it for ten minutes, and then consume three cups of it in a day.

• You may also consume tea containing alfa alfa leaves as they are potent diuretics.

• You must eat a fiber rich diet as fiber helps in drawing toxins and moisture out of the tissues for excretion, thereby preventing water retention in the body.

• You may also consume onion juice to prevent water retention in your body.

• You may eat two to three slices of garlic everyday in order prevent water retention.

• Excessive consumption of caffeine may also lead to edema. Though caffeine in lower levels leads to loss of excessive water from the body, but its consumption in higher quantities may cause dehydration which in turn leads to edema or water retention in the body.

Other than these remedies, you must also follow a regular exercise regimen which helps flush out the toxins and extra water from the body.

There are many, especially women, who may feel bloated because of all the water retention they experience. Women experience water retention the most when they are pregnant. In fact, millions of women all over the world share similar experiences when it comes to water retention. Water retention is a natural part of a woman’s life. Premenstrual syndrome can often cause an upheaval of hormones, resulting in water retention in the body. There are many women who during their menstrual cycle may experience an unexpected weight gain due to the water retention. In a lot of women, the rise in the amount of estrogen secreted during menstruation could cause the hormone aldosterone to be released, which in turn allows the kidneys to retain more fluids that it normally would. In women, both PMS and menopause continue to be the leading causes of fluid retention in the body.

However, in both men and women, kidney diseases are also widely associated with water retention. If you are not drinking enough water, then too your kidneys will tend to retain water to maintain the electrolytic balance of the body. This is also very dangerous for the health of a person as well as the overall health of the kidneys. Other causes of water retention in the body include malfunctions of the heart, thyroid or liver. A high consumption of salt can also cause the body to retain more fluids as sodium is known to increase water retention. Since we are always experiencing the pull of gravity, retained water in the body tends to flow south, accumulating in our feet, especially the ankles. If you elevate your legs frequently and rest with your legs above your heart, you will not have the problem of fluid buildup around your ankles. There are some water retention remedies that you can try out to help reduce the discomfort that water retention may cause.

• Sodium is one of the most common food items that increases water retention in the body. If you can reduce your salt intake, it would help you get relief from your retention problem. Go light on salt in your meals even if the recipe calls for a lot of salt. A low salt diet is also good for the heart as it helps you maintain blood pressure. Instead of salt, you can try using more of pepper and other spices. Cut down on fast foods and other fried foods that are usually loaded with salts for taste. Also avoid eating canned meats and preserved food products.

• Bananas are extremely good for your health. Bananas are also high in potassium that is an effective nutrient for eliminating fluid retention. Eating a few bananas would help you keep fluid retention low. This is one of the best natural remedies for water retention. If you are not very keen on consuming bananas, you could eat a few raisins instead as these have a similar effect on the body.

• Although there are many remedies for water retention, an ice pack is perhaps the most useful of all. Applying an ice pack on your swollen feet can help ensure that the blood begins to flow normally again. It can also help your ankles come back to their normal size even if they were really puffed up earlier. To apply an ice pack correctly, simply wrap a light towel around a few ice cubes and apply the ice through the towel on the affected areas. You can also use a plastic bag to put the ice in. When the weather is warm, you can dip your ankles in ice cold water. However, people who have poor circulation or diabetes should avoid using an ice soak.

• Consuming natural diuretics is another one from the most effective fluid retention remedies. Natural diuretics allow you to excrete excessive water from your body. Cranberry juice is one of the best natural diuretics. Other natural diuretics include salads, especially cabbage. You can add salads to your sandwiches or eat some coleslaw with your meal.

• Yogurt contains natural enzymes that promote digestion. Consuming good quantities of yogurt can help stimulate your digestive system. If you have been consuming very rich and salty foods, a cup of yogurt along with your food can be one of the best natural remedies for fluid retention.

• Although water retention is the problem that you are suffering from, the kidneys may be retaining water if you are not consuming enough of it. Drinking good amounts of water allows you to flush out toxins and improve kidney function. On average, you should be consuming a minimum of eight to ten glasses of water every day. This has been proven to be one of the best natural remedies for water retention under the eyes. This could also be one of the essential natural remedies for water retention under the eyes.

• Among the many natural remedies for water retention during pregnancy, consuming appropriate amounts of vitamins is the foremost. Both vitamins A and C are good for your health as well as your baby’s health. These vitamins are also great for alleviating water retention.

• It is important to exercise in order to negate water retention. Any number of natural remedies for water retention in the legs will have no effect if you are not exerting yourself. When you are using water retention remedies during pregnancy, keep in mind that light stretching and exercising will help you stay away from water retention. If you are not moving your legs at all, water retention will continue to cause distress.

• One of the best water retention remedies for men is to raise your legs to let the blood flow normally. When you keep your feet up while reading or resting, the blood flow is better. You can also do this while watching television. Simply prop a pillow under your legs and allow the liquids to drain from your limbs that may have got swollen due to excessive retention.

Water retention remedies for menopause suffering women may not seem very effective. This is because the water retention during menopause is caused by the raging hormones. Women taking hormone replacement therapy may not experience fluid retention in their extremities, but others may continue to experience retention even if they are using home remedies to prevent it.