6 Proven Ways to Eliminate Retained Water and Bloating

Water retention, or edema, is when there is accumulated fluid within the cavities and the tissues or within the circulatory system. It usually occurs during pregnancy and it causes swelling in the hands, ankles, feet and legs.

Edema also afflicts inactive people, bedridden people, those who take medications for longer period of time and people with sedentary lifestyles. It is not a life-threatening condition, yet it can indicate severe issues like kidney disease or heart failure. However, in most cases, edema can be prevented and treated and the swelling can be minimized.

If the underlying cause of water retention is known, it is ease to treat it. In this article, read about the most common causes of edema.

1. Excessive Intake of Sodium

If you are consuming foods which are high in sodium, but you do not drink plenty of water, your body is in the “reserve mode”, thereby starts retaining water. If this is the case, the cells may become 20 times enlarged with water so that they can dilute the salt.

Additionally, apart from salt, foods like canned vegetables, processed meat and some condiments are abundant in sodium as well.

However, there is a salt that to not cause edema, but actually reverses it. In order to do this, drink water with Himalayan salt or Celtic sea salt.

2. Vitamin B6 Deficiency

Vitamin B6 is responsible for balancing the water in the body. Therefore, if it is deficient, it can cause edema.

According to a study conducted by the Journal of Caring Sciences, women who had edema because of premenstrual syndrome, benefited a lot from B6 intake.

To be more precise, it soothes the symptoms more effectively compared to other supplements used previously. B6 is water-soluble, so for optimum results you need to take it in form of whole foods.

Foods which are rich in this vitamin are tuna, chicken, turkey, dried fruit, sunflower seed, unpeeled potatoes, pistachio nuts, bananas and lean beef.

3. Potassium Deficiency

This crucial mineral is responsible for the function of the body cells, tissues and organs. To be more precise, it is an electrolyte which is vital for the balance of water in the body. Depletion of this vitamin can be caused by consuming foods rich in salt, consuming foods low in potassium and excessive sweating. This can then cause water retention.

Furthermore, potassium deficiency can also cause a number of other health conditions, such as, muscle spasm, cramps and weight gain. This mineral reduces the sodium levels and increases the urine production, thereby reduces water retention.

Potassium can be found in nearly all fruits, yet rock melon, watermelon and honey melon are the most abundant.

4. Dehydration

Dehydration occurs as a consequence of lack of fluids. In case like this, the body retains water in order to survive. Dehydration can be avoided by regular consumption of juices high in potassium and water.

You need to drink plenty of water till the edema is subsided. However, avoid coffee and soda drinks, since they increase dehydration.

5. Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium deficiency is usually manifested by edema. Magnesium is vital for almost all functions of the body, so when deficient it prevents a number of functions in the body, thereby causing edema.

Certain study has proven that 200 mg of magnesium a day can lower the edema in women with premenstrual symptoms.

Foods which are rich in magnesium are dark green vegetables, dark chocolate, nuts, avocados, peas, whole grains, dried fruits, yogurt and spinach. Water retention can be significantly reduced by consuming foods rich in magnesium and taking supplements.

6. Consuming Processed Foods in Abundance

Processed foods are high in sugar and sodium, but they also contain a number of artificial additives which act like toxins and cause damage to the kidneys and the liver. To be more precise, foods which are rich in sugar, artificial sweeteners in particular, cause insulin and rapid blood sugar spikes, thereby causing sodium retention.

So, stay away from processed foods, but drink juices in order to detox your body.

Moreover, there are certain herbs that are effective and helpful in case of edema. These herbs have powerful diuretic properties. These herbs are:

• Dandelion
• Horsetail
• Nettle
• Corn silk
• Garlic
• Hibiscus
• Parsley
• Fennel

Source: Healthy Food House

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