It's not uncommon for women to experience mild bloating and water retention premenstrually which can be related to hormonal fluctuations. However, weight gain from water can affect both women and men at anytime. It is sometimes desirable to shed the excess fluid retention with the use of diuretics. It should be noted that Diuretics, even those found naturally in foods, should not be used without consulting a medical professional, since the reduction in fluids may influence the body's balance of minerals and electrolytes as well as its basic hydration.
What are Diuretics?
The term diuretic refers to any substance that helps to rid the body of excess body fluids and salts through urination. These can take the form of prescription or over-the-counter drugs, homeopathic and herbal remedies or certain foods with diuretic qualities that promote urine formation. Whatever the source, diuretics help to prevent or treat a number of conditions including fluid retention (edema), high blood pressure, and glaucoma.
How do Diuretics Work?
Diuretics work by making your kidneys excrete more sodium in the urine. The body then tries to balance out this increased amount of sodium concentration, by adding more water to the urine from the blood stream during the process of urine formation.
By expelling the excess water in the urine there is now a decreased amount of fluid flowing through the blood vessels and pressure on the walls of the arteries is reduced.
What are the Benefits of Diuretics?
Diuretics are commonly used to treat hypertension and heart problems related to high blood pressure. In addition, certain diuretics can be used to prevent, treat or relieve symptoms of a variety of medical conditions.
What are the natural Diuretics?
The following are some natural foods and herbs that exhibit diuretic qualities and promote the process of diuresis.
- Asparagus (shatwar): It contains a chemical alkaloid called asparigine that promotes effective removal of wastes from the body by improving the functioning of the kidney.
- Tomatoes: It's a very rich source of Vitamin C that helps release excessive body fluids and improves metabolism.
- Melon: Melons like watermelon ans muskmelon contains high levels of water, potassium and sodium that help eliminate toxins and stimulates urine production.
- Carrots: Carrots are a rich source of carotene that increases metabolism and removal of waste and fat deposits. As a diuretic, carrots are good for people who suffer from gout, aiding in the disposal of uric acid which would otherwise crystallise, causing the pain of gout.
- Lettuce (salad patta): It helps flush out toxins and increases metabolism rate.
- Brussels Sprouts (chhoti gobhi): It helps in the cleansing of the body tissues and cells by stimulating the kidneys and pancreas.
- Oats: It contains Silica which is a natural diuretic substance.
- Dandelion leaf: It is high in potassium and mineral contents that aid the process of diuresis. It also helps in potassium retention.
- Garlic (lahsun): It contains mustard oils that have cleansing properties. They break down and flush out fats.
- Cranberry Juice: It helps maintain the pH level of the urine, dilutes the urine and aids in increasing the frequency of urination. Its also helpful in improving and maintaining kidney functioning.
- Parsley: It stimulates urination by flushing out toxins from the kidneys. Although adding fresh parsley to recipes may have some benefits, the most effective way to get the natural diuretic effects of parsley is to enjoy it as a tea.
- Celery: Both the seed and the plant contain high levels of potassium and sodium that together stimulate urine production.
- Green tea: It is being used in China, as a natural diuretic, since centuries.
- Fennel (saunf): It exhibits diuretic and carminative properties.
- Other natural diuretic foods and herbs include beets, cabbage, carrots, artichokes, watercress, Gingko Biloba, Buchu Extract, coffee, tea, etc.
The removal of excess fluids may increase the removal of important vitamins and minerals from the body, such as calcium, potassium, and other important electrolytes. It may be necessary to supplement with other nutrients to help compensate for the loss of these nutrients when using a natural diuretic.
