If water retention and water weight are your concerns, then diuretics need to be a part of your diet. They assist you in losing pounds of water weight by eliminating unwanted water from the body. Of course, there are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs available to reduce the excess water in your body, but why prefer them when you have a range of natural foods that can do the same job without causing any side effect.
Diuretics help with a lot of problems like edema, heart failure, and kidney stones. They not only assist in the process of weight loss, but also helps in the detoxification of the body. But OTC drugs can deprive your body of important minerals which will also be excreted with your urine. Natural diuretics, on the contrary, supply your body with additional minerals to compensate for the potential loss. So here are a few natural foods that will help you pee a lot:
- Watermelon: Watermelon, being high in water content, helps the body to flush out its excess water. It is definitely a good choice because it doesn't dehydrate you like the OTC drugs. It only flushes away the excess water from your body.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes also work on the same principle as watermelons. The high water content of tomatoes causes the kidneys to release more fluids and this allows your body to flush out the harmful toxins rapidly. However, if you are suffering from any kidney condition like kidney stones, then you should avoid it as the oxalate content in tomato seeds can worsen oxalate stones of kidney. Also, as tomatoes are high in potassium, it should be avoided in renal conditions.
- Cucumbers: Cucumbers are not only high in water content, but they are also enriched with minerals like sulfur and silicon. These minerals stimulate the kidneys to excrete uric acid effectively. So it is also helpful for people who are suffering from gout, which results due to the deposition of uric acid in the joints.
- Lettuce: This food not only acts as a taste enhancer in salads, but its high water content also aids in the process of urination. Minerals like iron and magnesium present in Lettuce, help to wash out fatty cells.
- Green Tea: In traditional Chinese as well as Indian medicine, green tea has been used as a stimulant diuretic. The high caffeine level in green tea is responsible for its diuretic properties. It is a fantastic option if you don't mind drinking a few cups everyday.
- Cranberries: Cranberry juice is an effective diuretic and can help fight edema. It maintains the pH level of urine. Studies have shown that cranberries can treat urinary tract infections in women. It is one of the fastest acting natural diuretics.
- Oats: Oatmeal, an ideal breakfast food, contains a natural compound called silica which performs the function of a diuretic for the human body.
- Parsley: It has mild diuretic properties but helps in flushing out toxins from the kidneys. It forms a tasty component in many dishes.
- Asparagus: The chemical Asparagine, present in Asparagus, is an alkaloid which can stimulate the kidneys and improve the body's circulatory process.
- Fennel: This spice, native to India, is extremely aromatic and flavorsome. It is also used by some people to stimulate waste removal from the body.
- Beets: It is a strong diuretic which enhances the functions of the liver and the kidneys. It contains iron which cleanses the corpuscles which contain fat deposits.
- Brussel Sprouts: They help in stimulating the kidneys and the pancreas. The food helps in better cleansing of cells.
- Horseradish: This root, which contains adequate amounts of Vitamin C, is also noted for its diuretic properties.
It is evident that one can safely target the concern of water weight through the consumption of natural diuretics. Flushing away excess fluid from the body would not only solve weight problems, but would go a long way to detoxify the body. Although, natural diuretics will have limited side effects but always remember that moderation and caution should always be used for any type of diuretic.
