If you're retaining fluids, you may be wondering how to lose water weight quickly so that your clothes fit comfortably. For the average person, water comprises about 70 percent of total body weight. Muscle tissue contains about 75 percent water, while body fat holds around 50 percent water.
Retaining Fluids and Diet
Retaining excess fluids can leave you feeling bloated and puffy. If this is the case for you, it might surprise you to learn that diet can contribute to considerable fluid retention. Factors contributing to the retention of fluids include the following:
- Salt
- Sugar
- Inadequate protein
- Insufficient amino acids or B-vitamins
How to Lose Water Weight Quickly and Naturally
If your doctor has ruled out a medical condition and you are looking for a safe, natural way to lose water weight quickly, there are natural foods and herbs which offer diuretic properties. However, even though these "remedies" to water weight gain are natural, you should always use them with caution and moderation.
Natural Diuretic Aids
Many natural substances can serve as diuretic aids. MayoClinic.com suggests reducing salt and eating more fruits and vegetables. According to Natural Diuretics, other natural diuretics include the following:
- Apple cider vinegar (maintains potassium levels)
- Celery
- Celery seed
- Cranberry juice
- Dandelion
- Green tea
- Dandelion leaf tea (also helps in detoxification and urinary tract infections)
- Fennel
- Juniper berries
- Nettle
- Parsley
Diuretic Foods
Eating foods which have high water content is another way to increase the elimination of excess fluid retention. Other foods contain elements that boost kidney performance. You might want to try some of the following:
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
- Lettuce
- Oats
- Tomatoes (also aid metabolism)
- Watermelon
- Watercress
Along with these foods, garlic is another tasty solution if you're looking for how to lose water weight quickly. Animal studies show that it is not only to a natural diuretic food, but it also aids in the fat breakdown.
Diuretic Beverages
Several beverages also have a diuretic effect:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Coke (While the caffeine works as a diuretic, Coke can also wreak havoc with your sugar levels and cause bloating.)
It is also important to note that some studies show a connections between caffeine and weight gain due to increased insulin resistance.
Diuretics for Edema
If your body tends to accumulate excess fluids, it's best to see your doctor to learn the cause. Diuretics are often prescribed to help those suffering from edema (accumulation of fluids in the body tissues).
Medical Reasons Contributing to Edema
A visit to your doctor can determine whether there is an underlying medical condition causing your edema. Although edema can be harmless, it is also a common symptom for the following medical conditions:
- Filariasis
- Glomerulonephritis
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Kidney conditions
- Liver conditions including cirrhosis of the liver
- Lymphedma
- Nephrotic Syndrome
- PMS symptoms such as bloating
- Pregnancy
- Thyroid condition
Taking a diuretic aids the body in getting rid of excess fluid retention. However, using diuretics indiscriminately when trying to lose weight can lead to other serious consequences like dehydration, electrolyte imabalances, and potassium deficiency. The overuse of natural diuretics and laxatives may also lead to an eating disorder.
Making a Plan to Lose Water Weight
If you suffer from PMS symptoms like bloating and headaches and want to lose water weight quickly while steering clear of prescribed diuretics, make a diet plan that follows these guidelines:
- Avoid sugary food.
- Avoid salt and high sodium foods.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Drink herbal teas.
- Eat small amounts of starchy carbohydrates.
- Include the foods and herbs listed above and eat fruits and vegetables.
Adding these herbs and foods to your diet can help alleviate water retention, but if you decide to take a diuretic supplement, it is important to understand that they should not be taken for more than a few days. This is because necessary minerals and nutrients may also be flushed from your system along with the unwanted water weight. Instead, make a healthy diet plan incorporating these foods and be sure to add exercise to your daily routine.
Listen to Your Body
Water retention is annoying, but it is also your body sending you a signal. Whether it is telling you to cut back on salt, is associated with your period, or is a sign of a more serious condition, you need to pay attention and respond to your body's message. If you experience bloating that is not relieved by dietary changes or that is ongoing, seek medical attention to determine its cause.
