According to the MayoClinic.com website, edema is “swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body’s tissues.” This type of swelling can be caused by sitting in one position for too long, having high salt content in your diet, pregnancy, side effect medications or surgery or it can also be a symptom of a severe medical condition like kidney disease or heart failure. If you’re having sudden or severe water retention then seek medical attention immediately.
In cases where the swelling is mild and there is no underlying health condition, you may be able to reduce water retention with a few simple tricks.
Here are 6 tips to reduce water retention.
1. Eat Less Salt
Salt is made of sodium and chloride.
Sodium binds to water in the body and helps maintain the balance of fluids both inside and outside of cells.
If you often eat meals that are high in salt, such as many processed foods, your body may retain water. These foods are actually the biggest dietary source of sodium.
The most common advice for reducing water retention is to decrease sodium intake. However, the evidence behind this is mixed.
Several studies have found that increased sodium intake leads to increased retention of fluid inside the body.
On the other hand, one study of healthy men found that increased sodium intake did not cause body fluid retention, so this may depend on the individual.
2. Increase Your Magnesium Intake
Magnesium is a very important mineral.
In fact, it is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions that keep the body functioning.
Moreover, increasing your magnesium intake may help reduce water retention.
One study found that 200 mg of magnesium per day reduced water retention in women with premenstrual symptoms (PMS).
Other studies of women with PMS have reported similar results.
Good sources of magnesium include nuts, whole grains, dark chocolate and leafy, green vegetables. It is also available as a supplement.
3. Increase Vitamin B6 Intake
Vitamin B6 is a group of several related vitamins.
They are important for the formation of red blood cells, and they also serve many other functions in the body.
Vitamin B6 has been shown to reduce water retention in women with premenstrual syndrome.
Foods rich in vitamin B6 include bananas, potatoes, walnuts and meat.
4. Eat More Potassium-Rich Foods
Potassium is a mineral that serves several important functions.
For example, it helps send the electrical signals that keep the body running. It may also benefit heart health.
Potassium appears to help reduce water retention in two ways, by decreasing sodium levels and increasing urine production.
Bananas, avocados and tomatoes are examples of foods that are high in potassium.
5. Try Taking Dandelion
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is an herb that has been used as a natural diuretic in folk medicine for a long time.
Natural diuretics may help reduce water retention by making you pee more often.
In one study, 17 volunteers took three doses of dandelion leaf extract over a 24-hour period.
They monitored their fluid intake and output during the following days, and reported a significant increase in the amount of urine produced.
Although this was a small study with no control group, the results indicate that dandelion extract may be an effective diuretic.
6. Avoid Refined Carbs
Eating refined carbs leads to rapid spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels.
High insulin levels cause the body to retain more sodium by increasing re-absorption of sodium in the kidneys.
This leads to more fluid volume inside the body.
Examples of refined carbs include processed sugars and grains, such as table sugar and white flour.
Article Source: https://authoritynutrition.com