Water retention: how do we get rid of it?
Do you suffer from water retention? In this article, learn how to get rid of it and, at the same time, lose a few unnecessary pounds.
Water Retention: Causes
Water retention can have various causes. For example, pregnant women, the elderly, and even postmenopausal women often experience water retention problems. But a hormonal imbalance can also cause girls to retain water during menstruation.
However, some diseases such as heart disease or kidney failure can also prevent water from flowing in the body properly. Poor diet and lack of exercise encourage water retention.
Unfortunately, water accumulates where we least want it. In most cases, the thighs, buttocks, stomach, upper arms or ankles are particularly affected.
Tip from our editor: It may sound paradoxical, but if you want to eliminate water retention, you have to drink a lot. Water or tea is preferred. And to diversify the pleasure, we offer you our recipe for sparkling raspberry and peach iced tea. Refreshing and rich in protein!
Why does your body need water?
On average, an adult's body is made up of 70% water. We lose water every day through our skin and through our breathing. In our bodies, water acts as a medium for transporting various substances. It ensures that our blood can circulate, waste can be eliminated and our brain function properly, to name a few.
Remember a day when you didn't drink enough? During the day, you should have noticed that you could not achieve the same level of physical performance in sports, or that you were less focused during your revisions, or that you had headaches. These are all signs of dehydration.
Eliminate water retention through diet
There are several ways to drain the body. In general, to eliminate water retention, simple consumption of certain foods is sufficient. Often, incorporating these foods into everyday life is enough for just a few days.
Note: It may sound paradoxical, but if you want to eliminate water retention, you need to make sure that you are drinking enough.
why ? As you have already noticed, your body can only function if you have consumed enough water. If you drink too little, this is when your body tells itself to store water in case of emergency. On the contrary, if you give him enough water, he will get rid of the water he has too much.
That's why we recommend consuming foods that are high in water and potassium that Mother Nature gives us.
Foods that flush out excess water from the body
Against water retention, eating cucumber, watermelon, pineapple, strawberry and asparagus will help you. But artichokes, onions, garlic, carrots, avocados, potatoes and even rice also have a drying
effect. Nuts, such as hazelnuts, cashews, peanuts and almonds, as well as dried fruits - such as dried apricots or dried bananas - also contain a lot of potassium. Do you always run from right to left? That's why our mix of nuts and berries is perfect for small snacks on the go.
Please note: Potassium should only be consumed in small amounts and in the form of natural foods.
On the contrary, there are some foods that you should completely avoid if you want to drain your body quickly and effectively. It includes - among others: alcohol, caffeine, and salt. In fact, table salt, as we know it, consists primarily of sodium. The latter especially promotes water retention.
Homemade diuretic remedies: tea
If you want to drain your body, you can do so simply with the right drinks. Many teas have a diuretic effect, including: nettle, parsley, birch leaves, horsetail, dandelion, ginger and, finally, green tea.
Other ways to combat water retention
Besides eating a balanced diet, there are other ways to get rid of water retention.
1. Lymphatic drainage
If the fluid retention in your body is already so large that it causes pain, lymphatic drainage may be helpful. The tissue in question is stimulated using a special technology. Unlike a regular massage, the
tissues are treated very gently. In this way, the lymphatic system, which is responsible for removing tissue fluids, is stimulated. Before resorting to this method, we recommend that you seek advice from an expert.
2. Thinking
Massaging the reflexology areas in the feet can also activate the lymphatic system as well as the liver and kidneys thus helping to empty the body.
3. Endurance sports
In the same way that sitting for long hours or even standing without moving much can lead to fluid retention, endurance sports are great for draining the body. The bike is very decent too, as well as the
knuckle-sparing feature. Thus, the blood circulation of the whole body is activated, and the water is simply emptied by sweating on the one hand, and on the other hand it is better distributed in the body.
4. Rub the body with the massage roller
If you have a massage roller at home, great! Because when you use it to massage your muscles, you stimulate your lymphatic system at the same time. As with lymphatic drainage, specific drainage mechanisms in the body are also activated.
Body drying for competition
In contrast to cases of pathological water retention, athletes such as bodybuilders and martial artists - whose competitions are divided into different weight classes - use different techniques to try to lose a few hundred grams, sometimes several kilograms, in a very short time.
If it is only possible to break down fat slowly, it is quite possible to lose 1 kg in a short time in the form of water. You just have to realize that you can't lose this weight in the long run, but it will generally show up on the scale the next day.
To this end, many martial artists also like to train with a tracksuit designed specifically for sweating, and even some extra clothing on it. After your workout, head to the sauna! Then they hardly eat anything until the competition; They only drink a little water.
Bodybuilders generally take a more professional approach to drying. They follow a very strict diet that tells them the exact amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats and water they can eat. In this way, they are able to maintain maximum muscle volume, while limiting their water content to a minimum.
Note: Draining the body in this way is only a short-term solution to losing weight and excess water and is not recommended for athletes.
Water retention: our conclusion
First ask yourself the question: What is causing your body to retain water?
Draining your body can only be successful if you drink enough.
Eating foods that are high in water or potassium helps drain the water.
Conversely, alcohol and caffeine consumption promote water retention.
Salt is made up of a large portion of sodium, which increases water retention.
Several types of tea have a diuretic effect.
Lymphatic drainage, reflexology massage, moderate-paced endurance exercise, or roller massage have a draining effect on the tissues.
Drain methods for athletes to lose weight only work in the short term.