A diuretic is a substance that causes an increase in kidney secretion, according to Dr. Daniel Mowrey. Many foods, nutrients and herbs have diuretic characteristics. Doctors prescribe diuretics to treat urinary illnesses such as edema. Edema is decreased kidney activity with many causes that range from mild to serious, including heart failure. However, diuretics can also deplete the body of nutrients in healthy individuals, so they can be harmful in excess.
Fruits
The diuretic effect of fruits is twofold. Many fruits are made up largely of water, so eating them will reduce the sodium content of the bloodstream. In response, the kidneys withdraw water and other waste liquids from the bloodstream to raise its sodium concentration. Moreover, fruits contain diuretic vitamins like ascorbic acid, compounding the rise in urine secretion. Some fruits also have distinctive effects on the kidneys that cause them to have an even greater diuretic influence. Juniper berries stimulate kidney activity directly, because they contain a volatile oil called terpenol. Other fruits known for their diuretic effect include cucumbers, coconuts, mangoes, melons, pears, and star fruits or carambolas. Fruits are among the safest diuretics, because they usually contain vitamins and minerals to make up for the nutrient depletion associated with diuresis.
Vegetables
Vegetables share diuretic characteristics with fruits, although their effects are somewhat different. While they do contain the water and nutrients that both cause urination and offsets depletion, they do not have exclusive components that can compound their diuretic effect. Subsequently, their diuretic effect will not be as acute as some fruits. Vegetables that do act as diuretics include asparagus, beans, bamboo, cabbage, celery, corn, carrots, dandelion greens, lettuce, eggplant, mustard greens, peas, potatoes, snow peas, soybeans and soybean sprouts, squash, spinach and watercress.
Herbs
Herbs are among the most potent diuretics, but they're also the most dangerous, because they often do not contain any nutrients to offset nutrient depletion. Potassium and vitamin C are among the nutrients at greatest risk of depletion during diuresis without supplementation. Exceptions include cayenne and kelp. Herbs that are effective diuretics include horsetail, cornsilk, buchu, uva ursi, pau d'arco, parsley, alfalfa, nettle and garlic.
References
- "The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine"; Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D; 1998
- "Coping with Lymphedema"; Joan Swirsky and Diane Sackett Nannery; 1998
- "Healing Through National Foods"; Dr. H. K. Bakhru; 2000
- MayoClinic: Diuretics
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin C
