5 tricks to reduce fluid retention
for Baia Food en Apr 10, 2017
Tabla de contenidos
Fluid retention occurs when an excess of fluid accumulates within the tissues. The most visible symptoms are swelling in the legs, abdomen, and ankles. When the contributing factors are stress, diet, sedentary lifestyle, or smoking, it can be significantly improved by following the tips below:
Reduce sodium intake
Sodium binds to water in the body and helps maintain fluid balance inside and outside the cells. If you often eat very salty foods, such as processed foods, your body will, logically, retain more fluid. Avoid overusing salt when preparing your meals, favoring aromatic herbs, black pepper, or turmeric.
Increase your intake of magnesium- and vitamin B6-rich foods
More than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body require this mineral, which is key to reducing and preventing fluid retention. Unsalted raw nuts, ORGANIC CACAO, kale, beans, or spinach are very good sources of magnesium.
Vitamin B6, for its part, contributes to the formation of red blood cells and to the proper functioning of the nervous system.
The best sources are banana, walnuts, brown rice, hazelnuts, and raw garlic.
Try diuretic infusions
Dandelion, horsetail, or fennel infusions are highly diuretic. Try taking them after meals or between meals, replacing sugar or artificial sweeteners with a few drops of lemon juice.
Incorporate potassium-rich foods into your diet
This mineral is also an electrolyte, just like sodium and chloride, which helps regulate the pressure and concentration of substances inside and outside cells. If we eat a lot of salt, potassium requirements increase. A deficiency of this macro mineral in the diet worsens fluid retention and hypertension. The best sources are bananas, apricots, chickpeas, the ORGANIC ACAI, Swiss chard, potatoes, and pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
Forget about refined carbohydrates
High insulin levels in the body cause greater fluid retention, as they increase sodium reabsorption in the kidneys. Avoid sweets, pastries, industrial biscuits, alcohol, and refined cereals.
Of course, don’t forget to drink water between meals. Many people prone to fluid retention avoid it for fear of becoming even more bloated, which is a mistake. When dehydrated, the body will retain more fluid as a defense mechanism, which will worsen the symptoms.
Do a little exercise every day, even if it is just a 30-minute walk, to reduce volume and improve circulation.
