Dehydrating The Body: You Can Use These Foods To Prevent And Relieve Water Retention

Working in the home office is often associated with a lack of exercise and poor nutrition - this can lead to water retention, swelling, or pain.

With these foods, you can dehydrate your body and prevent and relieve water build-up in the body.

Are your ankles swollen and tight calves? Lack of exercise and one-sided exercise can lead to water retention in the body. Liquids build up in the tissue and become visible swellings. These can spread over the entire body - ankles, legs, buttocks, stomach, and face are particularly affected.

There are different reasons why our body stores more water. Most of them are harmless and, especially in the current home office situation, there is an increased accumulation of water in the body. This is due to the one-sided stress, the long sitting, and the general lack of exercise. An incorrect diet - predominantly salty or sugary - promotes the accumulation of fluids in the tissue. Hormonal fluctuations such as menstrual periods, menopause, or pregnancy can also trigger edema. However, water retention can also have a serious cause, which is why you should have pronounced or recurring water retention medically clarified.

With a dehydrating and balanced diet, you can counteract water retention caused by lack of exercise or a diet containing sodium, in order to increase your well-being in the home office.

How to dehydrate your body with the right foods?

If the fluid intake is low, our body tries to store the available water. It is therefore particularly important: Take sufficient (two to three liters) fluids, such as water or unsweetened tea, to promote the breakdown of excess water. And get enough exercise.

Foods containing potassium

For water retention, a diet rich in potassium and low in sodium is primarily recommended. Potassium regulates the fluid balance, participates in the control of blood pressure, and promotes drainage and purification. Avocados, nuts, quinoa, bananas, artichokes, fennel, and potatoes contain high levels of potassium.

Foods with magnesium and vitamin B6

A magnesium deficiency can lead to water retention, as the mineral affects the fluid balance. Healthy foods that contain magnesium or vitamin B6 stimulate dehydration. Especially green vegetables, sauerkraut, raw cocoa powder, whole grain products, Brussels sprouts, and green beans can help prevent water retention.

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Food with a high water content

Fruits and vegetables with a high water content have a diuretic effect and boost the metabolism and thus help your body to dehydrate. They have a cleansing function and flush deposits and toxins from the body. The menu includes cucumber, celery, lettuce, grapefruit, broccoli, and pineapple. The latter helps reduce swelling and fluid retention in the body with the help of the enzyme bromelain.

Flax and coriander seeds

Liquids and toxins can be bound and flushed out in the digestive tract by consuming flaxseed. Both flax and coriander seeds have anti-inflammatory effects and can reduce swelling and pain symptoms.

Herbal ingredients as healing teas

Herbal active ingredients and minerals soothe inflammation that can be the cause of the swelling. With the help of the right herbs, the water cycle is stimulated, the kidney function supported and the lymphatic system activated. Healing herbs are for example nettle, parsley, birch leaves, dandelion, and mate. You can optimally prepare this as a tea and integrate it into your routine for adequate hydration.

Preventing water retention: You should avoid these foods

Salt has a particularly strong water-binding effect. Ready-made products or fast food in particular usually contain an above-average amount of salt and promote swelling. So it is better to avoid ready-made meals and season your food with fresh herbs. Sugar has a similar effect and ensures that more water is stored in the tissue. Alcohol and beverages containing caffeine also unbalance the water balance. They make our body dehydrated - in response, the body begins to store more fluids. Alcohol can increase facial edema.