Water retention, called edema in medical vocabulary, indicates an accumulation of fluids in one area of the body. It follows a malfunction of the body. Instead of removing liquids, the latter are retained. Excess liquids leave the vessels to migrate to the tissues, where they accumulate causing swelling of the ankles and feet in particular.
This water retention is generally due to a dysfunction of the body but certain factors favor this condition like heat, pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations and the position sits prolonged. However, other causes for this pathology exist as:
1 – Excessive intake of sodium
If you have a high sodium diet and you do not get enough hydration, your body will use its water reserves, which can lead to water retention.
What to do?
Be sure to define and eliminate the foods you consume that are high in salt such as smoked fish, seaweed, sausages, industrial sauces, appetizers, cheeses and industrial products in general. Consider reducing your intake of table salt and prefer unprocessed natural salt such as Himalayan pink salt, Guérande salt flower or Hawaii black salt for example.
2 – Magnesium deficiency
Magnesium deficiency may lead to edema. According to scientists at the Maryland Medical Center, a lack of magnesium causes water retention because this mineral contributes to bone formation, metabolism of nutrients, transport of calcium and potassium to cell membranes and maintenance Of the balance of liquids in the body.
What to do?
Foods with magnesium should be favored, such as dark chocolate, dried fruit, avocado, bananas, spinach or leafy vegetables.
3 – Vitamin B6 deficiency
Vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to edema because it involves many aspects of the body’s water balance.A study by the Journal of Caring Sciences shows that vitamin B6 plays an important role in limiting edema. Women who take vitamin B6 supplements during premenstrual syndromes see their condition improve and notice a dramatic decrease in swelling caused by water retention.
What to do?
Foods rich in vitamin B6 are chicken, turkey, tuna, dried fruits, bananas, sunflower seeds, pistachios and potatoes with skin.
4 – Potassium deficiency
Potassium enables the proper functioning of cells, tissues and organs in the body. The imbalance between the lack of potassium and an excessive consumption of salt leads to the appearance of water retention. In addition, insufficiency of this mineral causes weight gain, muscle spasms and cramps.
What to do ?
Consuming more potassium reduces water retention because of its decreasing sodium levels. Most fruits contain it, especially watermelon, Cantaloupe melon and honeydew or Honeydew.
5 – Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when you do not drink enough water. This condition forces the body to retain water in order to survive which causes swelling in the feet, ankles, hands or legs.
What to do ?
Simply drink enough water and eat water-rich foods such as watermelon. Also, avoid soft drinks and sodas.
6 – Excessive consumption of processed foods
Processed food contains an enormous amount of sugar and salt, making it one of the major causes of water retention. In addition, they contain artificial food additives whose toxic nature generates an overload of work for the kidneys and the liver. But they also increase insulin and blood sugar levels.
What to do?
It is necessary to avoid as much as possible the consumption of this kind of products and to favor healthy and natural food and to prepare homemade dishes.
Natural remedy against water retention with parsley:
Ingredients:
– 2 teaspoons dried parsley
– 250 ml of water
Preparation:
Boil the water in a saucepan and add the dried parsley.Let it infuse for a few minutes. Finally, consume the lukewarm infusion. Drink this infusion three times a day until you notice an improvement in your condition.
Parsley has antioxidant properties and is a source of vitamins and minerals for reducing water retention.You can also mix fresh parsley with the juice of a lemon and drink this preparation every day in order to fight edema.
