What can I do about water retention?

Contour Body Firming and Toning Treatment Oil

Water retention can leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable. We answer all the important questions about what causes water retention and the best water retention treatments.

The human body is naturally made up of around 60% water, which is the core of our overall health and well-being. Any extra water carried by our bodies is known as retaining “water weight” or “water retention".

Water retention, also known as edema, can make you feel bloated and puffy. We tend to carry extra water weight in our arms, stomach, and legs. Although water retention is normally relatively harmless, it can cause some serious medical conditions. It’s important that you consult with a medical professional if you struggle with water retention for an elongated period of time.

Here we answer all your questions about water retention symptoms, what causes water retention, and how to stop water retention.

What is water retention?

What are the reasons for water retention? Water retention occurs when the body retains water in its tissue rather than flushing it away. The result is bloating in some parts of the body, such as the legs, and often translates into extra pounds on the bathroom scale. Water retention can also cause the appearance of cellulite. There are many potential water retention causes:

The food you eat: Your food choices can significantly impact your body’s water retention rate. Foods that are high in salt and carbohydrates will lead to more water retention in your stomach. A lack of magnesium and potassium in your diet can cause you to carry extra water weight.
That time of the month: The natural variation in hormones experienced during the menstrual cycle causes the body to hold onto extra water about a week before the menstruation date. It could also increase cravings for processed, sodium-rich food, which only aggravate bloating and water retention.
Not moving enough: Sitting or standing for long periods can have an adverse effect on your fluid circulation system. This could cause excess water to build up in your extremities like your feet and fingers.
Medical conditions: Issues with the heart or kidneys could cause an abnormal blood flow around the body. This can lead to a buildup of fluids in some parts of your body.
Medications: There is a long list of medications that cause water retention, such as anti-inflammatories and a few oral contraceptives.

What are the symptoms of water retention?

So, what are the signs that you are retaining water in the body?

The first thing most people notice is the obvious signs of swelling in extremities, such as swollen ankles and fingers. You might find that your shoes are a bit tight or your rings are more restrictive than normal. You could also have a swollen stomach or unexplained weight gain over a short period of time.

You can gain up to five pounds of water weight and you might struggle with conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, or morning stiffness.

What are the best water retention treatments?

Water retention is very rarely dangerous. However, it can leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable. If you want to lose weight and are looking into how to get rid of water retention, there are several small things that you can do for a big impact.

What helps with water retention? Try the following to get rid of water retention.

1. Flush it out.

While it may seem counterintuitive, upping your water intake can reduce your water retention rather than the other way around. When your body is dehydrated, it tends to hold onto extra water to compensate for the lack of water you are drinking. This is one of the best natural ways to get rid of water retention.

Water is also very important for optimal kidney function, which helps filter out toxins and allows excess salt and water to leave your system. Healthy adults should aim to consume around 2 liters of water a day. Instead of juice or fizzy drinks, try and drink water and you’ll notice a big change in your body’s water retention.

2. Choose the right products.

Choose a targeted product such as our Contour Body Treatment Oil. The best body oil is made with 100% plant extracts. Using our massage technique along with our Contour body body massage as a way to decrease the visible effects of water retention.

3. Exercise regularly.

Exercise isn’t just a great way to lose weight and get rid of cellulite, it’s also an effective water retention treatment. When you exercise, your body sweats out the excess water, resulting in an immediate drop in extra water after strenuous activity. The increased blood flow and circulation that is brought about by high-intensity workouts can also reduce the retention of fluids in the hands and feet.

Furthermore, when we exercise, we burn through glycogen energy stores, which also helps to reduce water retention. However, it’s important to remember to rehydrate every time you exercise.

4. Lower your salt intake.

If you’re looking into how to get rid of cellulite and water retention, then an easy method to implement is simply cutting down on the salt in your diet. Try to replace foods that are high in sodium with low-sodium alternatives.

Our bodies have to keep their salt-to-water ratio finely balanced for our overall health. With this in mind, it makes sense that there is a link between salt and water retention; the more salt we consume, the more water our body is going to hold on to.

While you may think that table salt is the main culprit, it’s actually just a small part of the problem. Processed foods like cheese, bread, cold meats, frozen ready-made meals, and snacks such as potato chips are filled with sodium. Try to eat as many natural foods as possible; foods such as vegetables, nuts, fruits, and lean protein are low in sodium. Bananas, avocados, and leafy vegetables like spinach could even reduce the levels of sodium found in your body.

5. Increase magnesium, potassium and B-6 intake.

Magnesium oxide and vitamin B-6 are renowned for their prowess as water retention treatments. They aid in the function of the kidneys in helping to flush excess water, toxins, and salt from the system.

Try adding more potassium-rich foods to your diet to reduce water retention in your body. Potassium increases urine production and ensures that excess sodium is flushed out in the process. Avocados, sweet potatoes, spinach, and watermelon are just some of the most potassium-rich foods, all of which contain even more potassium than a banana!