8 Proven Ways to Banish Fluid Retention (Science-Backed)
Feeling a little swollen? Don’t worry. Fluid retention is more common than you’d expect. Whether you are pregnant, bloated, or in your menstrual cycle, we are here to teach you eight scientifically proven ways to reduce and prevent fluid retention.
Besides, you’ll learn everything that you need to know about fluid retention: What it is, how you can stop it, and how to prevent it from happening again. So, let’s dive in!
Fluid retention seems to be a more common problem to stumble upon as we age (1). Yet, it is also considered a usual premenstrual symptom that many women experiment daily. (2)
But, what is fluid retention?
Also known as edema, this medical condition affects the lymphatic system, which handles the draining of liquids that leak from the bloodstream into the body tissues using a network of “tubes” named lymph. (3)
→Here's How to Fix Your Gut! Find the Right Solution for Your Fluid Retention Issues←
Fluid retention occurs when the lymphatic system lacks the normal capacity to drain the leaked liquid out of the internal tissues. So, now that we know how it works, what can we do to treat this condition? Here are eight proven ways to help.
Contents:
#1- Increase Your Consumption of Magnesium
#4 - Keep an Eye On Your Sodium Intake
#8 - Consider Using Flavonoids
#1- Increase Your Consumption of Magnesium
Magnesium is the fourth more prevalent component in our bodies. This mineral has countless positive effects on our system, including dealing with clinical depression, strengthening our bones, and, you guessed it, reducing water retention. (4)
But how does it work?
Magnesium is a mineral that reacts with the enzymes present in our bodily liquids and blood, which helps our lymphatic system drain the retained liquid more easily. This is possible because its composition becomes less dense and can pass into the lymph and return to the bloodstream. (5)
#2 - Drink More Water
Who would’ve thought we could solve liquid retention by consuming more liquid? It seems counterintuitive but incrementing the levels of H2O that we consume daily can go a long way in diminishing the symptoms of this condition pretty effectively. (6)
Water keeps us hydrated, which causes a need to get rid of the reserves of liquid that our lymphatic and digestive systems cannot drain by themselves.
Moreover, water helps maintain our kidneys hydrated, which improves their capacity to filter out the sodium trapped in them. It is worth mentioning that an excess of sodium in your kidneys may affect your ability to expel liquids.
#3 - Load Yourself With Fibre
Fibre is an excellent ally against edema. This nutrient has many beneficial effects, such as acting as a cleaning agent that removes the excess of nutrients, minerals and wasteful liquids in our bloodstream, kidneys, and intestines. (7)
Fibre can also get through the interstitial space between the cells, which is where most of the retained liquid is stored, causing water retention.
Seeds, beans, and legumes are rich in fibre, so we highly advise including them in your day-to-day diet more often!
#4 - Keep an Eye On Your Sodium Intake
As we learned earlier, sodium is a mineral that has a lot to do with liquid retention. (8) But, how?
Sodium is a mineral that needs to react with water or liquid to be processed by the body more easily.
When we consume more sodium (commonly prevalent in salt and highly-processed foods), our body keeps and uses its water reserves to dissolve the increasing sodium percentage present in the kidneys and bloodstream. (9)
In short, consuming large amounts of sodium will proportionally increase the production and retention of liquids in our bodies.
#5 - Balance Your Hormones
Women usually experience various symptomatic reactions to their hormonal changes during the menstrual and premenstrual cycles.
These hormonal imbalances affect every woman differently. Yet, women can suffer from liquid retention during their period and pregnancy. (10) This occurs due to the increment in estrogen levels since estrogen can act as a fluid retaining hormone. (11)
As estrogen levels rise during the menstrual period, menopause or pregnancy, it is common for women to experience dehydration, sudden internal heating sensations and increased sweating. The body reacts to this by saving and creating a reserve of water by interrupting the normal expelling of fluids, generating involuntary fluid retention.
To balance your hormones, we recommend following a healthy diet rich in good fats, exercising regularly but not too much, improving sleep, and avoiding stress as much as possible. Another thing you can do is complement your efforts with a hormonal treatment supplement such as Hormone Harmony.
#6 - Drink Herbal Teas
Fluid retention can be beaten by simply changing the way we consume liquids.
It is a fact that different types of herbal tea produce curative effects against fluid-related conditions such as stomach flu, diarrhoea, nausea, and even Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). For example, chamomile tea is pretty helpful in combating the effects of different digestive disorders and fluid retention.
Chamomile tea is often used for weight loss as it stimulates your metabolism and contains high potassium and calcium levels. These minerals are very effective at filtering unwanted nutrients and sodium molecules that could potentially challenge the passing of the retained fluids through the lymphatic system. (12)
#7 - Use Dandelion Extract
Dandelion extract may be one of the most effective tips on this list. Believe it or not, dandelion extract is rich in potassium, which is one of the fundamental substances for the treatment of fluid retention and other digestive negative conditions. (13)
Potassium works as an excellent diuretic trigger and has a powerful influence on the incremented production of urine. (14) By triggering the body to urinate more often, we can dramatically reduce the chances of developing fluid retention.
#8 - Consider Using Flavonoids
If you’re suffering from fluid retention, besides trying all the alternatives listed in this article, you can turn to flavonoids. These plant components have countless significant benefits to offer.
If you’re wondering what a flavonoid is, these plant chemicals constitute a group of phenolic-structured natural substances present in plant-based products, such as wine, tea, fruits, vegetables, and grains. (15)
Flavonoids were used in an experimental study tested in humans to prove the benefits these supplements had against leg malfunctioning problems and liquid retention. (16)
The results were astonishing, and nowadays, flavonoids are a must in treating fluid retention, as they are a healthy, natural and effective tool against this condition.
Conclusion
Fluid retention is a common condition, but as a rule of thumb, if your symptoms are getting worse, you should always check with your doctor. And if you feel like everything you do to beat water retention simply doesn’t work, don’t lose faith!
We designed the Bloat Banisher with cases exactly like yours in mind, to help you debloat and recover your old, happy self. You can learn more about how other people who suffered from water retention turned their lives around here!
Don’t let your menopause get the best of you!
