Any substance that promotes diuresis, the increased production of urine, is considered a diuretic. We find diuretics come in several categories and they all increase the excretion of water from the body, but each has its own distinct way. Sometimes diuretics are abused by people with eating disorders, with the goal of of losing weight. However, diuretics are used in medicine to treat heart failure, influenza, water poisoning, liver cirrhosis, hypertension, and some kidney diseases. Here Stephanie Feuer, Cosmopolitan.com, reflects on natural diuretics to reduce bloating:

“If you suffer from bloating after a salty meal or from monthly hormonal fluctuations, you’ll want to become familiar with diuretics.

Diuretics help your body get rid of salt and water mainly by stimulating your kidneys to release sodium into your urine. Water is then pulled from your blood to concentrate the sodium levels.

That produces more urine and decreases the amount of fluid flowing through your blood vessels, providing relief from water retention if you’re suffering from oedema, high blood pressure, and other conditions where chronic water retention presents an issue.

Happily, natural diuretics can offer relief from water retention and bloating without taking any pills.

“In general, veggies and fruit are high in water and potassium (and some are higher in magnesium and calcium), which can help to offset the constriction of your blood vessels that make you feel bloated when you’ve had excess sodium,” explains Jaclyn London, MS, RD, CDN, Nutrition Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

“Choosing foods like grapes, celery, watermelon, other types of melon, cherries, apples, grapefruit, oranges and lots of leafy greens is automatically your best bet for feeling better, faster. While no single food in isolation is ever a miracle cure, making sure to add more of these foods to your day will set you up for greater success.”

Here are nine natural diuretics to try…

#1. Asparagus

Image courtesy of: Laurel Fan

From the time of the ancient Greek and Romans, asparagus has been used for its diuretic properties. The vegetable’s diuretic effects come from the amino acid asparagine and has been used to treat swelling, rheumatism, and premenstrual water retention. The distinct smell of urine after eating asparagus comes from asparagusic acid, which is broken down into a sulfur-containing compound when digested.

#2. Beetroot

Image courtesy of: Helen K

Beetroots are high in potassium, which helps eliminate fluid. Betanin, which gives beets their colour, has been associated with lower levels of C-reactive protein, making beets an anti-inflammatory as well.

#3. Cabbage

Cabbage can help reduce water weight. The popular ‘cabbage soup diet’ deploys the diuretic properties of cabbage, along with its high fibre and water content to support weight loss. The Romans used cabbage for hangovers and to help alcoholics ‘dry out’. Red cabbage is also an anti-inflammatory because it contains anthocyanins.

#4. Celery

Image courtesy of: frugalupstate

Hippocrates recommended celery to eliminate excess fluid. Now scientists have identified that the phthalides in celery contribute to its diuretic effect.”

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Read More … Article Source: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/body/diet-nutrition/a23301743/natural-diuretics/

 

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