Health

30 Natural Diuretics that are Safe and Effective

25. Decrease the number of refined carbohydrates that you eat The relationship between refined carbohydrates and water retention includes something that physiologists call a cascade. This… Simi - September 16, 2018

25. Decrease the number of refined carbohydrates that you eat

The relationship between refined carbohydrates and water retention includes something that physiologists call a cascade. This cascade kicks off when a person has a meal that is rich in processed or refined carbohydrates. Once the body has broken these down, there is a spike in blood sugar levels and as such a spike in insulin levels. When insulin levels rise in the blood, the body responds by reabsorbing any sodium that might be present in the kidneys.

We already know that an increase in sodium means an increase in water retention which means that if you have a diet that is rich in refined carbohydrates, then you are probably going to suffer from water retention at some point or other. No one is saying that you must cut carbohydrates out altogether, but you should rather eat healthy carbs that include whole grains and such like.

26. Exercise more

What happens when you spend some time at the gym? Sure, there are the sore muscles along with thoughts that you may very well be insane for putting your body through this, but most notably there is sweat involved. Any strenuous exercise will result in that familiar feeling of dampness on your skin. For those people who are holding onto too much water, this thin film of moisture outside of their body will be very welcome.

While exercises may only help water retention in the short-term, it is one of the most useful things you can do if too much water is your problem. Furthermore, when you exercise your body moves more water into your muscles which will help reduce the doughy-looking appearance which is all too familiar for those that cannot shed those extra liters.

27. Get enough sleep

Did you know that you can go longer without food than you can without sleep? This may sound like one of those catchphrases that people use when they talk about health. But, this is one of those times when it is true. The benefits that one can derive from getting enough sleep are endless.

These people are less likely to suffer from mood swings. They will have a stronger immune system. They will think clearer, and they won’t have to worry about those unsightly black rings underneath their eyes. As we move down the list, you will find a rather odd benefit of getting enough sleep. This being correct water balance in the body. The reason for this being that a person’s kidneys start to function properly if they start getting enough sleep.

28. Destress your life

What happens to your body when you get stressed out? This is not just referring to short-term stress. Instead, we are talking about prolonged periods of stress. Sure, your immune system starts to break down, your hair might start falling out, and you will slowly notice that your sleep pattern has gone to hell in a handbasket.

But, why does all of this happen? Is it just your mind ruining your life or is there something else going on? The culprit that you are looking for is cortisol. When you are under prolonged periods of stress, your body responds by increasing the amount of circulating cortisol. This hormone has many effects, one of those being an increase in bodily water retention.

29. Balance your electrolytes

When people talk about fluid balance, what exactly do they mean? Are they merely carrying on about the amount of water that you are drinking or are they talking about the actual balance of fluids that exists both in and out of your cells? Unsurprisingly, they are talking about the latter. Fluid balance is not just about water intake. It is also about the consumption of electrolytes that work to maintain the balance of fluids in the body.

The balance between electrolytes and water is very delicate, and if not kept in check then a person will certainly suffer from either excessive water retention or dehydration. There is not, however, a one size fits all solution when it comes to water and electrolyte intake. Instead, it all depends on the individual. If you are drinking a lot of water, then you need to make sure that you are getting enough electrolytes. If you are not drinking enough water, then your electrolyte intake needs to match this if you are to avoid excessive water retention.

30. Drink enough water

When the topic is how one can avoid retaining water, it might seem like a wild notion to ask them if they are drinking enough water. Surely if your body is holding too much water, then you should lay off drinking the same thing that is causing the problem? Not only is this thinking wrong, but it could be damaging to your health.

The reason for this is that your body is a lot smarter than you think it is and it is working day and night to stay alive. When it comes to water, if you are consistently not drinking enough water then your body will respond by holding onto the water that it has. It knows that it cannot survive without water, so it will be damned if it is going to let go of the precious fluid that comes trickling through the digestive tract.

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