Full Answer
What foods can reduce water retention?
Here are ten foods that can help reduce and flush water retention:
- Whole Wheat. Whole wheat flour is an excellent source of magnesium at around 160 milligrams per cup. ...
- Bananas. Bananas are loaded with potassium, but they are also packed with vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). ...
- Avocado. ...
- Cinnamon. ...
- Carrots. ...
- Ginger. ...
- Parsley. ...
What is the best supplement for water retention?
What Supplements Are Good for Water Retention?
- Identification. Water retention can occur due to many different causes, including pregnancy or an underlying condition, the MayoClinic website states 3.
- Dietary Supplements. Certain dietary supplements may help treat your water retention. ...
- Herbal Supplements. ...
- Considerations. ...
- Warning. ...
What are some natural remedies for water retention?
21 DIY Home Remedies For Water Retention
- Garlic. Garlic is a diuretic. ...
- Diuretic Foods. Diuretic foods cause you to urinate more frequently. ...
- Parsley. Parsley is rich in anti-oxidants, iron, calcium, and B complex vitamins. ...
- Potassium-rich Foods. Lack of potassium in the body causes water retention, edema and weight gain. ...
- Barley. ...
- Mixed Herbal Tea. ...
- Dandelion Tea. ...
- Fennel Tea. ...
- Corn Silk Tea. ...
- Water. ...
What is the best herb for water retention?
The best tea for fluid retention
- Horsetail tea or infusion. Horsetail is one of the best infusions to treat fluid retention and bloating.
- Dandelion tea orinfusion. Another of the best purifying plants is dandelion, so if you have problems with fluid retention it can be a good ally.
- Green tea infusion. ...
- Birch tea or infusion. ...
What is the most powerful natural diuretic?
In addition, the herbs hawthorn, corn silk, and parsley can be used as diuretics in natural medicine. Of these, hawthorn, (crataegus oxycanthus) is the most powerful.
What is the fastest natural diuretic?
The 8 Best Natural Diuretics to Eat or DrinkCoffee. Share on Pinterest. ... Dandelion Extract. Dandelion extract, also known as Taraxacum officinale or “lion's tooth,” is a popular herbal supplement often taken for its diuretic effects ( 4 , 5 ). ... Horsetail. ... Parsley. ... Hibiscus. ... Caraway. ... Green and Black Tea. ... Nigella Sativa.
What is a natural diuretic for water retention?
Some herbs and dietary supplements may help you excrete water (diuretic) and help with sodium and water retention. Examples include dandelion, ginger, parsley, hawthorn and juniper.
How do you get rid of fluid without diuretics?
Reduce sodium intake “If you're eating a high-salt diet, you're going to retain a lot more fluid,” Zumpano says. “Naturally eliminating fluids with healthy foods, exercise and reducing salt intake is very safe.” Being mindful of liquids that may be secretly full of salt, like soda, is also key.
What gets rid of water retention fast?
13 Easy Ways to Lose Water Weight (Fast and Safely)Exercise on a Regular Basis. Share on Pinterest. ... Sleep More. ... Stress Less. ... Take Electrolytes. ... Manage Salt Intake. ... Take a Magnesium Supplement. ... Take a Dandelion Supplement. ... Drink More Water.More items...•
Is apple cider vinegar a diuretic?
Since apple cider vinegar has natural diuretic properties, it may interfere with the action of lithium and similar medications. Apple cider vinegar pills should also be avoided if you're taking other medications that reduce potassium in the body, like Digoxin and Insulin.
How do you get rid of water retention overnight?
How To Get Rid Of Water Retention Overnight: Beat Bloat With...Decrease Sodium Intake.Cut Back On Refined Carbs.Drink More Water.Take Supplements. Chromium Picolinate. Potassium Citrate.Exercise.Eat Potassium Rich Foods.Manage Stress Levels.Take Electrolytes.More items...
What is the safest diuretic?
TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Patients taking a common diuretic to help lower blood pressure may be better off with a similarly effective but safer one, a new study suggests. Current guidelines recommend the drug chlorthalidone (Thalitone) as the first-line diuretic.
Why is my body retaining so much water?
Water retention is a common health issue that can be caused by a number of factors, including diet, menstrual cycles, and genetics. You can help relieve water retention by making some lifestyle changes. If water retention persists, consult with a doctor who may prescribe medications.
What fruit is a natural diuretic?
According to Dr. Kavaler, one of the most common natural diuretic foods include fruits, especially watery ones like watermelon, grapes, and blueberries. Lemons and pineapple can also have a diuretic effect on the body.
Is lemon juice a natural diuretic?
Lemon water is a diuretic In addition, any food that contains potassium could increase urine output. That includes virtually all fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products, including lemons.
How do I get rid of fluid in my legs and feet?
Support stockingsMovement. Moving and using the muscles in the part of your body affected by edema, especially your legs, may help pump the excess fluid back toward your heart. ... Elevation. ... Massage. ... Compression. ... Protection. ... Reduce salt intake.
When Is A Diuretic prescribed?
Doctors prescribe diuretics when the body is retaining too much fluid. This problem is more common in older adults. The following conditions may re...
Considering A Natural Diuretic
Some herbs and dietary supplements have diuretic properties that may be helpful to you. Always talk with your doctor and ask about any potential al...
7 Natural Diuretics
Below are seven common herbs and supplements that act as natural diuretics. Early scientific studies have shown that many of these alternatives hel...
8 Diuretic Foods
Besides these seven natural diuretics, cutting back on sodium and exercising more can also help reduce fluid buildup. Eating more fruits and vegeta...
What Is a Diuretic?
Diuretics are a class of drugs that promote diuresis, or the increased production of urine. Also sometimes called water pills, these medications are used to remove excess water from the body and treat conditions like heart failure, liver disease and high blood pressure.
Health Benefits
High blood pressure is a condition caused when blood pushes against the artery walls with too much force, putting extra strain on the heart muscle and causing it to weaken over time. Diuretics are one of the first lines of defense used against high blood pressure and can help excrete extra sodium through the urine to lower blood pressure.
History
Although widely used to treat a variety of conditions today, diuretics have only risen in popularity within the last century or so.
How to Use
One of the easiest ways to take advantage of the wealth of health benefits provided by natural diuretics is by simply including a few servings of natural diuretic fruits and veggies in your diet.
Risks and Side Effects
In general, natural diuretics can be a safe alternative to over the counter diuretic medications and an effective way to avoid potential water pills side effects. Some of the most common diuretic side effects include muscle cramps, high blood sugar, diarrhea, headaches, low sodium levels and high or low levels of potassium in the blood.
1. Coffee
Coffee is a very popular drink that has been linked to some impressive health benefits.
2. Dandelion Extract
Dandelion extract, also known as Taraxacum officinale or “lion’s tooth,” is a popular herbal supplement often taken for its diuretic effects ( 4, 5 ).
3. Horsetail
Horsetail is an herbal remedy made from the field horsetail plant, or Equisetum arvense.
4. Parsley
Parsley has long been used as a diuretic in folk medicine. Traditionally, it was brewed as a tea and taken several times a day to reduce water retention ( 10 ).
5. Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a family of plants known for producing beautiful and brightly colored flowers.
6. Caraway
Caraway is a feathery plant also known as meridian fennel or Persian cumin.
8. Nigella Sativa
Nigella sativa, also known as “black cumin,” is a spice promoted for its medicinal properties, including its diuretic effect ( 21 ).
What Is a Diuretic?
Diuretics are substances that increase the amount of urine you produce and help your body get rid of excess water [ 1, 2 ].
General Ways to Combat Water Retention
Get more magnesium: Magnesium maintains optimal electrolyte balance and may relieve water retention, especially for women in PMS [ 7, 8 ].
Best Natural Diuretics
Preliminary research points to some amazing natural diuretics, but the level of evidence remains low. The following studies should encourage further investigation before we make any definite conclusions. Remember to speak with a doctor before taking any of the herbs and supplements discussed below.
How to Take Natural Diuretics & Dosage
The doses below used in clinical trials may not apply to you personally. If your doctor suggests using a natural diuretic, work with them to find the optimal dosage according to your health condition, potential drug interactions, and other factors.
Are there any natural diuretics?
Although diuretics commonly come in the form of water pills, there are both foods and activities considered to be natural diuretics.
Can natural diuretics be dangerous?
If you’ve overdone it with the food and drink, Zumpano says changing your lifestyle for a few days (or upping your time at the gym) can help reduce the fluid you’re retaining.
1. Parsley tea
Parsley tea is one of the most popular home remedies to treat water retention. Studies done on animals show that parsley has a diuretic effect on animals, as it increases overall urine production [1].
2. Dandelion tea
Dandelion is another popular herb used to increase the production of urine and treat water retention. This plant works as a natural diuretic because it is rich in potassium, which is a type of mineral that acts in the kidneys and promotes urine excretion
3. Horsetail tea
Horsetail tea is another natural diuretic that is used a lot in traditional medicine and although there is not much recent research about this plant, a review done in 2017 states that the diuretic effect of horsetail can be compared to hydrochlorothiazide, which is a diuretic produced in the lab.
4. Hibiscus tea
Hibiscus tea seems to increase the quantity of urine produced significantly and, according to a study on mice [3] . Its effect is similar to that of synthetic diuretics produced in the lab, such as furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide.
5. Fennel tea
Fennel is a traditional medicincal plant used to treat bladder problems and high blood pressure. This is because it has a diuretic effect, which leads to increased urine production and the excretion of excess fluid in the body.
6. Green tea
Green tea is rich in caffeine, which is a substance that has natural diuretic properties. Even though just one cup of tea does not contain the amount of caffeine necessary for this, having three cups a day can increase your production of urine and help to eliminate excess fluid in the body.
Precautions to consider
If you opt to consume a diuretic tea, you should only do it under the supervision of you doctor or a health care professional who specializes in medicinal plants.
Asparagus
From the time of the ancient Greek and Romans, asparagus has been used for its diuretic properties. The vegetable’s diuretic effects come from the amino acid asparagine and has been used to treat swelling, rheumatism, and premenstrual water retention.
Beets
Beets are high in potassium, which helps eliminate fluid. (Here's more about why beets are great and how to grow them .) Betanin, which gives beets their color, has been associated with lower levels of C-reactive protein, making beets an anti-inflammatory as well.
Cabbage
Cabbage can help reduce water weight. The popular " cabbage soup diet" deploys the diuretic properties of cabbage, along with its high fiber and water content to support weight loss. The Romans used cabbage for hangovers and to help alcoholics "dry out." Red cabbage is also an anti-inflammatory because it contains anthocyanins.
Celery
Hippocrates recommended celery to eliminate excess fluid. Now scientists have identified that the phthalides in celery contribute to its diuretic effect.
Cranberries
Native Americans identified the diuretic effects of cranberries, using them to treat a number of conditions including scurvy, which they believed was caused by too much salt. Cranberry juice has been used by women worldwide to prevent and treat UTIs and other bladder disorders, although research results have been mixed.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers have sulfur and silicon which increase urination by stimulating the kidneys into better removal of uric acid. Loaded with water and potassium and low in sodium, cucumbers also inhibit the production of nitric acid and inflammatory enzymes, thus reducing swelling. Cucumber slices can be used topically to soothe under-eye puffiness.
Garlic
The same sulfur-based chemical that gives garlic its distinctive smell, allicin, gives it medicinal properties as well. The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research found garlic to be effective as a diuretic. It is also works a potent antioxidant and contributes to the breakdown of fats.
What Is A diuretic?
Health Benefits
- Lowers Blood Pressure
- Reduces Bloat
- Promotes Proper Filtration
- May Prevent Kidney Stones
History
- Although widely used to treat a variety of conditions today, diuretics have only risen in popularity within the last century or so. In fact, up until about 1957, the only effective types of diuretics available had to be injected directly into the muscle or veins and were difficult to administer, so they were typically reserved only for patients with heart failure. In 1958, cardiologist Dr. Marvin …
How to Use
- One of the easiest ways to take advantage of the wealth of health benefits provided by natural diuretics is by simply including a few servings of natural diuretic fruits and veggies in your diet. Try starting your day with a delicious green smoothie,satisfying your sweet tooth with a tasty fruit salad or swapping your fries for a side salad to help get in your fix. Natural diuretic pills and sup…
Risks and Side Effects
- In general, natural diuretics can be a safe alternative to over the counter diuretic medications and an effective way to avoid potential water pills side effects. Some of the most common diuretic side effects include muscle cramps, high blood sugar, diarrhea, headaches, low sodium levels and high or low levels of potassium in the blood. For most pe...