The average person is made up of as much as 70 percent water, reports Medical News Today. It exists in and around your cells and is therefore a significant part of human tissue. Water ultimately allows chemical reactions and acts as a solvent in your body, but the retention of too much water is symptomatic of a medical problem that might need serious attention.
Weight Loss
A significant amount of weight loss, especially during the first week of a new diet, is actually the loss of water. This is due to the fact that water makes up much of the weight of the tissue that is shed during a diet. When you lose weight, it's a combination of muscles and fat. Water constitutes roughly 75 percent of muscle mass, and body fat is actually 50 percent water, notes Medical News Today.
Definition
It is common for diets to require water intake as water hydrates you and has no calories. This intake of water, especially if it is more than what you usually drink, can lead to water retention. Water retention is defined as an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the circulatory system or within tissues or cavities of the body. The actual retention may be caused by the menstrual cycle, a medical problem with the organs or specific foods in the diet, all of which prevent the body from excreting water.
Significance
The body can retain up to an additional 5 lbs. of water, which will mask weight loss results, so it's something that you will want to avoid while on a diet, advises Weightlossforall.com. Water retention is easy to spot because it is manifested as bloating, puffiness and swelling, especially in the abdomen and extremities.
Prevention/Solution
The British Dietetic Association recommends a low-sodium, high-potassium diet to help combat water retention, reports Mail Online, the website of "The Daily Mail." To achieve this, eat fewer salty foods such as bacon, cheese, soups, ready meals, pizzas and snacks, and increase your consumption of unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. If your bloating is caused by a slowdown in the bowels, then eating a high-fiber diet may help.
Considerations
It is possible that water retention could be a sign of food intolerance, so you might want to keep a food diary to note when it occurs and what foods you have eaten. If water retention does not ultimately abate over time, especially if you have attempted to alleviate it with your own measures and actions, then you should consult a medical professional.
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