Edema is an excess of watery fluids accumulated in the cavities or tissues of the body. It usually occurs before or during pregnancy and can cause swellings in the legs, ankles, feet and hands.
Moreover, edema commonly occurs in inactive people, people who are on long-term medications, bedridden or people with sedentary lifestyles. Generally, it is not a life-threatening condition but it can lead to serious issues such as heart failure or kidney disease. Fortunately, in most cases, water retention can be prevented, treated and edema can be reduced.
These are some of the most common causes of water retention:
1. Excessive Sodium Intake
The medical experts highly recommend that you should reduce the sodium intake, if you want to reduce your water retention problem. Yes, you should avoid the use of salt. This is due to the fact that salt is made up of sodium chloride. How this works – well, it very simple. The sodium binds water to the body and helps maintain the balance of fluids inside your body. However, there are many studies that have found that increased sodium intake leads to an increased retention of fluid inside the body.
And the real and ugly truth is that salt isn’t the only commonly consumed product that is high in sodium. Processed food products such as processed meat, certain condiments and even canned vegetables have all been found to have a high sodium content. As we said, sodium can bind to water in the body, and decreasing your salt intake may help reduce water retention.
2. Magnesium Deficiency
Yes, you should also know that increasing your magnesium intake may help reduce water retention. A recent study has discovered that 200 mg of magnesium per day reduced water retention in women who are experiencing premenstrual symptoms. You should consume foods rich in magnesium, such as: nuts, whole grains, spinach and peas. It can also be consumed in the form of a supplement. As we said, magnesium has been shown to reduce water retention in women who are experiencing premenstrual symptoms.
3. Vitamin B6 Deficiency
Do you know anything about Vitamin B6? Well, Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally found in many different foods. A recent study, conducted by the Journal of Caring Sciences, has discovered that women who were experiencing water retention due to premenstrual syndrome benefitted from taking vitamin B6. During the clinical trial the women reported that they found vitamin B6 helped reduce their symptoms more efficiently than any of the other supplements that they were given. You should consume more foods rich in vitamin B6, such as: bananas, potatoes (with skin), tuna and pork. As we said, Vitamin B6 may help reduce water retention, especially in women with premenstrual syndrome.
4. Potassium deficiency
This important mineral is in charge of the proper function of the body organs, tissues and cells. Namely, it is an electrolyte needed for the balance of water in the body. The consumption of foods rich in salt, excessive sweating due to exercising, and not consuming foods rich in potassium can lead to a depletion of it, which contributes to edema.
Moreover, potassium deficiency may also lead to numerous other health problems lie weight gain, cramps, and muscle spasms. By reducing the sodium levels, and increasing the urine production, this mineral effectively reduces edema.
Potassium is found in almost all fruits, but it is in highest amounts in honey melon, watermelon, and rock melon. For best effects, instead of taking supplements, you should increase your potassium amounts by consuming various fruits and vegetables.
5. Dehydration
Insufficient amounts of water lead to dehydration of the body. In this case, the body reacts by retaining water as a way to survive. The regular consumption of water and juices high in potassium can reduce edema and dehydration.
Drink lots of water until the water retention is subsided, and avoid soda drinks and coffee, as they additionally dehydrate your organism.
6. Excessive consumption of Processed Foods
Apart from being rich in sodium and sugar, processed foods also involve numerous artificial food additives that act as toxins and damage your liver and kidneys. Namely, sugar-rich foods, especially in artificial sweeteners, lead to rapid blood sugar and insulin spikes which will lead to sodium retention by cells, by increasing reabsorption in the kidneys.
Therefore, you should avoid processed foods. You should also detox your body with juices in order to preserve the optimal condition of the liver and prevent serious health issues.
Furthermore, there are some herbs which can have an extremely beneficial effect in the case of water retention. Namely, these herbs have strong diuretic properties, and they include:
- Horsetail
- Dandelion
- Corn silk
- Nettle
- Hibiscus
- Garlic
- Fennel
- Parsley
Sources and References: juicing-for-health.com