Diuretics, whether natural or synthetic, help rid the body of excess water by increasing urination. Water retention, also called edema, has many potential medical causes, ranging from menstruation to cardiovascular disease. In conjunction with medical monitoring, adding certain foods with diuretic effects to the diet can help reduce water retention.
Water
Some patients have difficulty thinking of water as a treatment for water retention. If you have an excess of fluid in the body, it can be hard to drink more water. However, drinking water helps the body produce more urine. Excess fluid in the tissues will be flushed out with the additional water you consume.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables that contain abundant amounts of water act as natural diuretics. Melons, especially watermelon, are good diuretics. Tomatoes, cranberries, pineapples and grapes are all rich in water, and thus are good diuretic foods. Cabbage, carrots, beets and asparagus are vegetables with known diuretic properties as well.
Fruit and vegetable juices are also good diuretics. When purchasing juices, opt for 100 percent juice to avoid unwanted added sugars.
Oats
Oats are known to contain silica, which is a natural diuretic. To maximize your morning oatmeal, add fresh fruit. In addition to the diuretic effects, it keeps your digestive system healthy by reducing the risk of constipation.
Herbs
Herbs are considered dietary supplements, and as such, manufacturer claims are not evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. That said, several herbs are known to have diuretic effects when added to the diet. Dandelion root extract, from the common dandelion weed, and Uva Ursi, from the leaves of the Uva Ursi plant, are utilized for their diuretic effects.
Caffeine
Caffeinated foods, such as chocolate, and drinks, such as soda or coffee, have a natural diuretic effect. However, too much of a good thing is not good. Caffeine is a potent natural diuretic that leads to excess urination. Too much urination can lead to dehydration, which alerts the body, leading to further fluid retention as a survival method.
Sodium: The Anti-Diuretic
When you need to rid the body of excess fluid, you should closely monitor your sodium intake. Too much salt in the system is a trigger for the body to hold onto excess water. Fast foods, canned foods and frozen foods should all be limited due to their sodium content.
