How to get rid of water retention
Water retention or fluid retention can be caused due to several medical conditions and some medications. Edema is the medical term for swelling caused by the retention of excessive fluids in the body tissues. Although it is usually harmless, it may be a result of severe medical conditions, such as heart, liver, or kidney disease. Women may experience water retention during pregnancy or while the ovaries are releasing the eggs. The ways suggested to get rid of water retention are intended for healthy people or athletes. People with chronic edema should consult their physician for further treatment.
Here are some ways to ditch water weight fast:
- Regular exercise: Although you may be aversed to it, you run out of options when trying to lose water weight. Hence, it is important to sweat it out. Regular exercise helps to reduce inflammation, thus retaining less water overall.
- Get those fluids: Although it may sound bizarre, drinking more water helps to get rid of extra water and sodium. Either drink 2-3 L of water or increase the intake of water-rich foods. Below is the summary of various food items and their water content in percentage:
| Percentage | Food Item |
| 90-99% | Fat-free milk, cantaloupe, strawberries, watermelon, lettuce, cabbage, celery, spinach, pickles, and squash (cooked) |
| 80-89% | Fruit juice, yogurt, apples, grapes, oranges, carrots, broccoli (cooked), pears, and pineapple |
| 70-79% | Bananas, avocados, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, potato (baked), corn (cooked), and shrimp |
| 60-69% | Pasta, legumes, salmon, ice cream, and chicken breast |
| 50-59% | Ground beef, hot dogs, feta cheese, and tenderloin steak (cooked) |
| 40-49% | Pizza |
| 30-39% | Cheddar cheese, bagels, and bread |
| 20-29% | Pepperoni sausage, cake, and biscuits |
| 10-19% | Butter, margarine, and raisins |
| 1-9% | Walnuts, peanuts (dry roasted), chocolate chip cookies, crackers, cereals, pretzels, taco shells, and peanut butter |
| 0% | Oils and sugars |
| 100% | Water |
- Increase your potassium intake: Potassium helps to maintain water balance and blood pressure by eliminating sodium from the body. Thus, consuming more potassium-rich foods may help you to lose water weight. Some of the potassium-rich foods and their potassium content include in the below chart.
| Food (no table salt added) | Serving size | Potassium (mg) |
| Apricots | two raws or five dry | 200 |
| Artichoke | one medium | 345 |
| Beans (lima, baked navy) | half cup | 280 |
| Beef, ground | three oz | 270 |
| Beets, raw or cooked | half cup | 260 |
| Broccoli | half cup | 230 |
| Brussels sprouts | half cup | 250 |
| Clams, canned | three oz | 535 |
| Dates | five | 270 |
| Dried beans and peas | half cup | 300-475 |
| Fish (haddock, perch, salmon) | three oz | 300 |
| French fries | three oz | 470 |
| Lentils | half cup | 365 |
| Milk (fat-free, low-fat, whole, buttermilk) | one cup | 350-380 |
| Orange | one fruit | 240 |
| Orange juice | half cup | 235 |
| Potato, baked | one potato | 925 |
| Potato chips, plain, salted | one oz | 465 |
| Prunes | five | 305 |
| Pumpkin, canned | half cup | 350 |
| Spinach | half cup | 420 |
| Sweet potato, baked | one potato | 450 |
| Tomatoes, canned | half cup | 200-300 |
| Tomato, fresh | one fruit | 290 |
| Turkey | three oz | 250 |
| Winter squash | half cup | 250 |
| Yogurt, plain | six oz | 260 |
| Zucchini | half cup | 220 |
| Banana | one | 425 |
- Load yourself with fibers: It is important to have a healthy digestive system if you plan to lose water weight. Fibers help to improve the digestive system and maintain water balance.
- Curb your sodium intake: High sodium is linked to water retention. Hence, it is advisable to manage your salt intake by cutting on processed foods. Below is the sodium requirement for the different age groups
| Age (years) | Sodium requirement |
| 19-30 | 1.5 g/day |
| 31-50 | 1.5 g/day |
| 51-70 | 1.3 g/day |
| >70 | 1.2 g/day |
For pregnant and lactating women, the sodium intake should be limited to 1.5 g/day of sodium.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Medically Reviewed on 12/22/2020
References
https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/whats-water-weight#1
https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/whats-water-weight#1
https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/abo9047
https://www.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fnic_uploads/water_full_report.pdf
https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/whats-water-weight#1
https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/abo9047
https://www.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fnic_uploads/water_full_report.pdf
Complete List
Top What Gets Rid of Water Retention Fast? Related Articles
Edema (Pitting)
Edema is the swelling of tissues as a result of excess water accumulation. Peripheral edema occurs in the feet and legs. There are two types of edema, non-pitting edema and pitting edema. Causes of pitting edema is caused by systemic diseases (most commonly involving the heart, liver, and kidneys), and medications. Local conditions that cause edema are thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. Edema or swelling of the legs, feet, ankles, and face are common during pregnancy. Idiopathic edema is edema in which the cause is not known. Pitting edema is scored on pitting edema measurement scales. Edema is generally treated with medication.
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
A heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain, heart failure, and electrical instability of the heart.
Heart Attacks in Women
Heart disease, particularly coronary artery disease is the leading cause of heart attacks. Women are more likely to die from a heart attack than men. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and high triglycerides are contributors to heart disease. Some of the common symptoms of a heart attack in women include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, feeling faint or woozy, and more. Heart disease can be prevented by lifestyle changes and controlling high blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and diseases such as diabetes.
Heart Attack Symptoms and Early Warning Signs
Recognizing heart attack symptoms and signs can help save your life or that of someone you love. Some heart attack symptoms, including left arm pain and chest pain, are well known but other, more nonspecific symptoms may be associated with a heart attack. Nausea, vomiting, malaise, indigestion, sweating, shortness of breath, and fatigue may signal a heart attack. Heart attack symptoms and signs in women may differ from those in men.
Heart Attack Treatment
A heart attack involves damage or death of part of the heart muscle due to a blood clot. The aim of heart attack treatment is to prevent or stop this damage to the heart muscle. Heart attack treatments included medications, procedures, and surgeries to protect the heart muscle against injury.
Cardiac Arrest: What You Should Know
Cardiac arrest is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate medical care. Use this WebMD slideshow to know whether you are at risk for cardiac arrest and what you can do if it happens to a loved one.
Heart Failure Quiz
What is heart failure? Learn about this dangerous condition, as well as who is at risk, and what to do about it.
Heart Palpitations: 14 Possible Causes and Should You Worry?
Heart palpitations are caused by stress, exercise, caffeine, nicotine, hormone changes, fever, medications, low blood sugar, overactive thyroid, heart rhythm problems, alcohol, PVCs, and illegal drugs. Doctors may use tests like an ECG, Holter monitor, event monitor, and electrocardiogram to help diagnose the underlying cause of heart palpitations.
Am I Having a Heart Attack? Symptoms of Heart Disease
Heart attacks symptoms vary greatly for men and women, from anxiety and fatigue to nausea and sweating. Learn the warning signs of a heart attack and know the symptoms that may require an immediate trip to the hospital.
Illustrations of the Heart
The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. See a picture of the Heart and learn more about the health topic.
Is Drinking Cold Water Bad?
About 60 percent of the body is made up of water. It forms a major part of the blood. The cells and the body cannot function right if the water levels go down. Drinking cold water often causes “cold stress” in the body.
Pulmonary Edema
Pulmonary edema (swelling or fluid in the lungs) can either be caused by cardiogenic causes (congestive heart failure, heart attacks, abnormal heart valves) or noncardiogenic causes such as ARDS, kidney failure, high altitude, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, aspirin overdose, pulmonary embolism, and infections. The treatment of pulmonary edema depends on the cause of the condition.
What Are the Four Main Functions of the Heart?
The heart is a muscular organ situated in the chest just behind and slightly toward the left of the breastbone. The heart works all the time, pumping blood through the network of blood vessels called the arteries and veins. The heart is enclosed within a fluid-filled sac called the pericardium. The pericardium is a protective covering that produces fluid, which lubricates the heart and prevents friction between the heart and the surrounding organs.What Are the First Signs of a Heart Attack in a Women?
Many women think that the typical signs of a heart attack like crushing chest pain and shortness of breath can be easily recognized and cannot be missed. The 4 silent signs of a heart attack are fatigue, chest pain, pain in the upper back, shoulder, arms, neck or jaw, and sleep disturbances.
What Is the Healthiest Water to Drink?
Mineral water and alkaline water may be some of the healthiest types of water because they provide your body with essential nutrients