We all know that, in order to have a harmonious and toned body, we need to eat properly, exercise, get enough sleep and hydrate properly. But what do we do when our body retains water in our tissues and our body feels like a water balloon?
Water retention is a common problem in both women and men, but few people realize it and do something about it. It's an imbalance between the water that enters the body and the water that is eliminated from the body through urine and sweat. Normally, fluid in the tissues is drained by the lymphatic system which filters toxinsThe lymph is then discharged into the bloodstream.
Water retention occurs when fluid is not properly drained by the lymphatic system and water remains in the tissues where inflammation (edema) occurs. The areas where we retain water most often are the feet (swollen legs), hands, abdominal cavity and lungs (pulmonary edema).
The causes can be many, from the common premenstrual syndrome to kidney problems, thyroid dysfunction, liver problems or simply not drinking enough water.
First of all, reduce salt intake, especially before menstruation, because salt favors water retention in the tissues. You can use a special salt, which can be found in health food shops and is made from the leaves of certain plants, which are salty: celery leaves and root, basil, marjoram, parsley, parsley, rosemary. Give up processed foods and fast food, which contain huge amounts of sodium anyway.
Eat foods rich in potassium because this mineral activates the lymphatic system! Bananas, raisins, broccoli, broccoli, sweet potatoes are some examples of calcium-rich foods that you should introduce more often in your diet.
Try some natural diuretics: the common coleslaw, net nettle tea, black cherry juice, dandelion tea, dandelion tea, corn silk, cranberry tea, rosemary are just a few examples.
It is very important to hydrate properly. Many people, when they hear that they are experiencing water restriction, try to reduce their fluid intake. When our body suffers from dehydration, it retains water as a method of survival so it is recommended to increase your fluid intake, savor water slowly (i.e. don't drink a large amount at once), and reduce caffeine or alcohol intake - which dehydrates the body. The more water we drink, the faster we eliminate water from the body.
In addition to dietary rules, the following are of great help swimming lessons/ Aquagym (immersion and exercise in water help to regulate the salt content in your cells), massage (in particular lymphatic drainage yes reflexotherapy), sauna, and if you retain standing water most often, I recommend posts yoga where you sit with your feet up (for example, the candle pose) or you can simply put a pillow under your knees when you rest.
Alexandra Iliuta
Wellness Advisor
Virtual Wellness Explorer
