The causes of water retention are varied, and in some cases serious, such as heart or kidney disease, inflammation and allergies.
However, in normal health situations, the main culprit of this problem is an unhealthy lifestyle, which with some simple adjustments can bring significant benefits.
In general, it can be said that water retention does not only affect women, but compared to men the percentage is definitely higher - Ansa.it speaks of 90% of the female population in Italy affected by cellulite.*
In fact, the problems they cause, such as water retention, swelling and the feeling of sore legs, are often associated with certain periods in a woman's life and hormonal changes.
Water accumulation: what is it and what are its consequences?
Water retention is the body's tendency to retain excess fluids, resulting in so-called "congestion" and water retention.
Buy Bromelain supplement now. It is a problem that manifests itself particularly acutely in areas prone to increased absorption, namely in fatty regions: thighs, buttocks and abdomen.
So it is a problem with the drainage of lymphatic fluids, which not only causes an unpleasant feeling of swelling and skin irregularities, but also serious damage to the body.
In fact, the retained fluids contain toxins that can affect cellular metabolism and hinder proper blood circulation, both venous and lymphatic.
So it is not just an aesthetic problem, but also more serious and disabling problems, such as the appearance of varicose veins or varices.
Varices are severely enlarged superficial veins in the legs, in which blood flows with difficulty due to the failure of the venous walls and accumulates in the venous vessels, which can lead to their rupture.
The role of nutrition
The disorders associated with fluid retention in the body can be prevented by taking care of one's lifestyle.
In particular, it is important to pay attention to the diet to limit foods that promote water retention and instead favor fruits and vegetables, foods rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals with antioxidant effects.
Diet to combat water retention: foods to avoid
It is crucial to emphasize that it is not necessary to follow a diet that excludes all indulgences to combat water retention.
As emphasized by the Veronesi Foundation*, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is always recommended in such cases.
At the same time, it is recommended to limit some foods that could promote and trigger inflammation in the body.
So what are the 5 foods to avoid or limit?
1. Salt
One of the main causes of fluid retention is excess salt. It is important to find the right balance between salt and water by drinking plenty but especially limiting foods with excessive amounts of salt. These include pickled foods, sausage products, aged cheeses and ready meals.
2. Sugaryfoods
Snacks, sweets and excessive refined sugar are harmful to the body because they cause insulin levels in the blood to rise abruptly, which can lead to swelling and contribute to the development of water retention.
3. Alcoholic drinks
Wine, beer and spirits are drinks that are high in sugar and calories. They promote dehydration and therefore excessive fluid retention.
An occasional exception is fine, but it is advisable not to let the consumption of alcohol become a habit.
4. Sausages
Sausages are foods that are high in saturated fats. Salami, bacon and mortadella are among the least recommended because they contain a very high amount of sodium.
5.Saltysnacks
These foods are high in salt and saturated fats, but also refined flours and sugars, which trigger an inflammatory response in the body and promote fluid retention.
Water retention: foods to reduce
In addition to foods to avoid, it is important to know foods that are helpful in reducing this unpleasant blemish.
fruit and vegetables
Foods such as cherries, peaches, strawberries, apples, pears, but also spinach and artichokes are rich in vitamins A, C, E and flavonoids, which promote the excretion of fluids and healthy venous circulation.
Whole grain cereals
Whole grains are a good alternative to white and refined flour.
Whole grain rusks, rice, spelt, barley and whole grain pasta reduce fat absorption and increase satiety, thereby reducing water retention.
nuts
Nuts, almonds and oily seeds contain unsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-9, which are crucial for promoting arterial circulation and reducing water retention.
Green tea
It is a drink with antioxidant and diuretic properties. It helps reduce water retention and promotes blood circulation.
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Saneei P et al. Influence of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2014;24(12):1253-1261. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2014.06.008 [Influence of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials – PubMed (nih.gov)]
Effects of diet, habitual water intake and increased hydration on body fluid volumes and urinary analysis of renal fluid retention in healthy volunteers – PubMed (nih.gov)