Water retention can be extremely uncomfortable and annoying, affecting your physical well-being, weight, mood and even how your clothes fit. Water retention, or edema, can be caused by many factors, including excessive salt intake, your menstrual cycle, insufficient water intake, hot weather, pregnancy, travel and stress. While these causes are relatively mundane, some serious medical issues can cause water retention too, so see your doctor if your water retention persists. However, for most women, simple behavior changes can help reduce water retention without medical intervention.
Step 1
Up your water intake. Contrary to what you might think, drinking too little water can actually cause water retention, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. When your body does not get enough water, it attempts to conserve what it has, hanging on to the little water you do consume and leading to water retention. MayoClinic.com advises that you drink a minimum of 8 cups of water per day for best results.
Step 2
Cut down on sodium. A high-sodium diet can cause or exacerbate water retention, making you feel puffy and bloated. Refrain from using the saltshaker at meals, cut down on or eliminate added salt in your cooking, and monitor nutrition labels on packaged foods to check for excessive sodium. Canned soups, frozen dinners, soy sauce, processed snack foods and many condiments contain high levels of salt.
Step 3
Eat more fresh produce. Many fruits and vegetables have a high water content, giving them a natural diuretic effect that reduces water retention. Try watermelon, cucumbers, celery, onions and honeydew melon for increased water intake.
