Retaining water can become more than unpleasant for both women and men alike. The phenomenon takes place when the human body is incapable of eliminating extra water and can result in swelling limbs, such as hands, legs or ankles. Even though it is most commonly found in women undergoing premenstrual syndrome (PMS), men experiencing water retention suffer from kidney, liver or heart diseases. Aside from this, consuming salt in excess is one of the main reasons for water retention. It’s obvious that we would all like to avoid or reduce water retention, but how can we alter our diet in order to make this possible? We have put together the healthiest solutions and we are proud to present 12 super foods for water retention. These guidelines are quite simple and are great not only for reducing water retention, but also for maintaining an all-around healthy lifestyle. You don’t need to panic; all of our suggestions are very accessible and you will soon find that they can work wonders. Discover them all below and start taking better care of your body!
1. Diuretics
If you’re looking for a variety of foods to fight off water retention, choose those that have diuretic properties. There are loads of them that are widely available at any market, from cabbage, lettuce and cucumbers, to asparagus, carrots or tomatoes. Little do most people know that watercress is yet another natural diuretic. Besides possessing diuretic properties, all of these greens are amazing for maintaining a healthy diet. These yummy veggies can all be combined for a super hero salad that will battle off water retention in time. You can also consult your nutritionist for more guidance regarding diuretic foods and enjoy a happy and bloat-free body.
2. Bananas
That’s right, go bananas! This delicious fruit is a miracle worker for loads of home remedies, so the fact that it’s a super food for water retention is natural. The American Heart Association states that approximately 98% of American citizens consume two times more sodium as they should on a daily basis. Bananas are high in potassium and aid the process of eliminating extra sodium. As a result, water retention is visibly reduced. You can try out some awesome recipes with bananas, fix up a banana milkshake or enjoy fresh bananas for a healthy snack. Your body will definitely thank you for being more considerate.
3. Melons
Due to the fact that it’s packed with diuretic properties, watermelon is astounding for water retention. Furthermore, many other types of melons and citruses are super rich in potassium and have the power to maintain a healthy balance of sodium in the human body. Cantaloupe, white honeydew, galia and charentais are just a few kinds of melon that are both extremely tasty and healthy at the same time. Let’s be honest: what can be more delicious than a fresh slice of juicy, ripe melon on a summer day? These super foods for water retention will be more than a pleasure to consume on a regular basis, trust us.
4. Fatty Fish
Generally speaking, fatty fish are wonderful super foods that can combat a wide range of conditions. Fatty fish such as flax, mackerel, herring, tuna or salmon come packed with omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids are incredible for brain, joint and heart diseases and have great healing powers as home remedies. Moreover, tuna and salmon contain high levels of vitamin B6, which has a huge impact on reducing water retention symptoms. Ladies will love these super foods, as they are known to ward off premenstrual syndrome like there’s no tomorrow. Nutritionists recommend around two servings of fatty fish every week for positive results.
5. Whole nuts
We have tons of reasons for including nuts on our list of super foods for water retention. Like bananas, they serve as a fantastic home remedy for various types of health problems, including the reduction of fluid retention, owing to their status as an amazing source of potassium. Along with whole grains, whole nuts are a delicious way of consuming large amounts of vitamin B6 to reduce bloating. In previous articles we have talked about “healthy fats”; well you should know that both whole nuts and grains are loaded with them, as well as being high in fiber. Be careful to consume nuts unsalted, as salt is a main cause for experiencing water retention in the first place.
6. Herbs
Speaking of diuretic foods, herbs are some of the best solutions you can ever hope for. Hawthorn, dandelion roots or leaves, evening primrose oil or corn silk are just a few of the excellent herbs you can consume in order to reduce water retention and eliminate extra water from your body. Studies show that hawthorn is the most effective of them all, so try to fit it into your regular diet. However, pregnant women should take caution when beginning herb consumption. It is best to have a discussion with your physician, herbalist or naturopath beforehand when attempting to use them for water retention.
7. Yogurt
Yogurt is probably the most well-known home remedy for bloating in general. Thanks to its high levels of potassium, yogurt is a wonderful super food for avoiding and treating water retention. Furthermore, yogurt is packed with calcium, a mineral that acts as a diuretic for getting rid of extra fluids. Specialists recommend low-fat yogurt for easing the digestion process and ultimately reducing bloating. This is yet another appetizing solution, so whip out a cup of yogurt next time you’re experiencing PMS symptoms and you will feel better in no time.
8. Celery
Celery is yet another accessible super food that can truly make an impact on water retention. It also presents diuretic properties and is great for bloating. Celery also comes packed with vitamin C, which is the best sidekick for a healthy immune system and also acts as a super antioxidant. The high level of potassium in celery also helps you eliminate water by stimulating the production of urine. Specialists recommend eating celery fresh, as the properties are properly maintained this way. You can also opt for celery seed as a solution, but do not consume it if you are pregnant.
9. Lemon juice
Like we mentioned before, citruses are awesome if you’re experiencing a battle with water retention. Particularly lemon juice is great for relieving bloating, thanks to its high levels of potassium. You can consume lemon juice in quite a few ways, both in cold and warm varieties. Lemon tea is the perfect alternative for coffee or alcohol, which dehydrate the body and cause water retention. You can also release toxins and water from the body by mixing 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and honey in a cup of warm water and drinking it once a day. For those hot summer days, take a glass of water and add a couple of lemon slices for a refreshing and healthy beverage.
10. Onion
The fact that onions are super healthy and the perfect addition to any home cooked meal is already a well-known by almost anybody interested in natural remedies for various conditions. This is the case for water retention, as onions serve as delightful diuretic foods for fighting off bloating. A bonus is that onions are also famous for preventing kidney stones and cleaning the blood, so try to incorporate them into your diet as much as you can to avoid countless illnesses. Those with a strong stomach can try boiling a couple of raw onions in water and drinking the infusion for aiding water retention.
11. Cranberry juice
Aside from being super refreshing and delicious, cranberry juice is a beloved solution for treating water retention. The main reason is that it acts as a natural diuretic that is a pleasure to consume. Also, cranberry juice contains high levels of calcium, potassium and magnesium, which are great minerals for releasing excess fluids from the body. Nutritionists recommend that you consume around 1 cup of cranberry juice per day for results, but make sure that it is not sweetened. Drink up and enjoy the relief!
12. Parsley
Last but not least, our final suggestion of super foods for water retention is parsley. It is an exceptional herb that is loaded with the diuretic properties you need for getting rid of those extra fluids and relieving bloating. Do-it-yourself and prepare some parsley tea at some for visible results; take 2 teaspoons of parsley leaves (preferably dried) and allow them to sit in boiling water for around ten minutes. Enjoy the infusion up to 3 times per day and watch how your body heals. If you want a solution for refreshment on a hot day, mix some parsley juice with lemon juice and drink away water retention.
We guarantee that if you regularly consume these super foods your condition will become much better. You should always keep in mind that salt in excess might be a main reason for your water retention, so avoid adding large amounts of salt to any dish. Also, never forget to drink as much water as you can every day for balancing out the fluids in your body. Get well soon and let us know which super food worked best for you!