List of 9 foods and beverages with proven diuretic effects

Edema caused by excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the body not only significantly changes the appearance (aesthetic component), but also poses a serious danger to the body.

Edematous syndrome creates an increased load on the cardiovascular system, and also disrupts the oxygenation of tissues involved in the pathological process.

A wide range of pathologies can lead to water retention in the body:

  • Chronic or acute heart failure;
  • Chronic kidney disease and other disorders on the part of these organs;
  • Varicose veins of the lower extremities;
  • Hormonal disorders (e.g. hypothyroidism);
  • Allergic reactions.

Substances that can increase the rate of formation of primary urine and remove excess fluid from the body are called diuretics. By ridding the body of excess water, diuretics improve the course of metabolic processes, create an adequate load on the cardiovascular system and normalize the general condition. But, unfortunately, many diuretic pharmaceuticals wash out the ions necessary for the body and disrupt homeostasis.

Fortunately, there are foods that can remove excess fluid without developing clinically significant side effects.

Below is a list of the 9 most effective diuretic products and beverages.

1. Coffee

The fragrant drink can be used as a diuretic due to the high amount of caffeine content.

Proven that 250-300 mg of caffeine (2-3 cups of coffee) causes an increase in daily urine output. However, with standard coffee consumption (1-2 cups per day), such phenomena are not recorded.

It should be noted separately research by scientists from the UK . They came to the conclusion that with regular coffee intake Tolerance is developing (decreased sensitivity) to the effects of caffeine. As a result, it is necessary to consume more and more of the drink in order to cause a diuretic effect.

Recall: coffee is one of the 8 most useful products for the bladder .

Thus, coffee helps to reduce the severity of edema in the presence of two important conditions: the drink is rarely consumed, the daily dose is at least 2-3 cups.

2. Black and green tea

Tea tree leaf infusions contain a large amount of caffeine, therefore, they can be used as a natural diuretic.

Antioxidants contained in tea (ascorbic acid, mineral salts, catechins) help to enhance the diuretic effect.

Foreign scientific research has proved that black tea has a weak diuretic effect. When taking a drink, tolerance may develop.

Green and black teas, due to the presence of caffeine and antioxidant components in the composition, have a diuretic effect. The less frequently the drink is used, the more pronounced the effect.

3. Dandelion

Dandelion extract is one of the most popular remedies used in folk medicine to eliminate edematous syndrome caused by a variety of causes.

The dandelion effect is presumably associated with a high potassium content. The consumption of foods rich in potassium increases the rate of excretion of water from the body through the kidneys by almost 20%. We came to this conclusion employees of Northwestern University USA .

According to scientific data, dandelion also has anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, hypoglycemic and analgesic effects. This leads to the widespread introduction of the plant into clinical practice.

Due to the high potassium content, dandelion is recommended to be included in the diet to normalize water and ion metabolism, since most other products contain a lot of sodium chloride and little potassium.

Dandelion extract helps to eliminate edema, presumably due to its high potassium content.

4. Field horsetail

Horsetail not only increases the rate of formation of primary urine, but also has antihypoxic properties, that is, it improves the functioning of cells in conditions of fluid retention. This is especially important for elderly patients.

One of the Brazilian studies demonstrates that the effect of horsetail is comparable to the effect of a medicinal product – hydrochlorothiazide, which is extremely often prescribed by doctors for the treatment of hypertension, accompanied by signs of congestive heart failure.

Horsetail effectively eliminates swelling and lowers blood pressure. The effects have been proven in human studies.

5. Punch

Parsley is used to treat diseases of the urinary system (urolithiasis, pyelonephritis), increase general and local immunity factors, correct dyslipidemia in clinically pronounced atherosclerosis.

Experiments on rats have shown that parsley has a moderate diuretic effect. The effect is provided by blocking potassium and sodium pumps at the cell level and reducing sodium reabsorption. As a result, osmotic pressure in the renal tubules decreases and water is intensively excreted from the body.

It is also important to note that the plant has not been studied in any human studies. Therefore, all positive properties can be judged only indirectly.

Parsley is one of the popular natural remedies that supposedly removes excess fluid from the body in the presence of edematous syndrome.

6. Hibiscus

Large petals of the plant are used in the form of teas and infusions (carcade) to reduce the severity of inflammatory processes and increase the rate of urine formation.

Modern scientific works show that hibiscus has a diuretic effect, while removing excess sodium salts and preserving potassium in the body, which has an extremely beneficial effect on the work of the heart muscle and the cardiovascular system in general.

Hibiscus safely eliminates the manifestations of edematous syndrome, providing prevention of heart disorders.

7. Hawthorn

Hawthorn-based drugs are used to treat a large number of diseases: from hypertension to menopausal syndrome.

Proven that hawthorn reduces the volume of fluid in the human body and has a beneficial effect on the course of chronic heart failure.

The fruits of the plant have a pronounced antiseptic effect, contribute to the death of pathogenic microorganisms in the lumen of the calyx-pelvic system, ureters and bladder.

Hawthorn is considered an effective diuretic that can be used as part of the complex therapy of pathologies from the cardiovascular system and kidneys .

8. Juniper

The plant has been used to treat edema since the 15th and 16th centuries. One of the scientific papers shows that juniper significantly increases the volume of urine excreted in domestic and farm animals.

Another positive feature of the plant is the preservation of potassium in blood plasma.

Juniper is no less effective in suppressing the secretion of anti-inflammatory mediators, thereby improving the course of allergic reactions and inflammatory processes of any etiology.

Juniper is a natural diuretic and anti–inflammatory agent with proven pharmacological action.

9. Cumin

Cumin is one of the most popular culinary additives. It is used for making bread, cakes and many desserts.

Experiments on rats show that the plant significantly increases diuresis. The effect persists for 24 hours.

Cumin also effectively reduces the severity of headaches and normalizes the water-salt balance in the body.

Cumin increases the rate of urinary excretion within 24 hours of consumption.

5 more methods to combat fluid retention in the body

In addition to using specific types of plant raw materials, there is a list of general recommendations that can ensure the removal of excess fluid from the body and create conditions to prevent edematous syndrome.

Here are the 5 most important rules:

  1. Including magnesium in the diet. The use of foods containing magnesium provides reliable prevention of edema formation. Magnesium is rich in nuts, bran, buckwheat, seaweed, milk.
  2. Adding potassium. Potassium is one of the most important elements that is necessary for the proper functioning of the heart muscle. Unfortunately, potassium is excreted from the body when certain herbal or chemically synthesized diuretics are prescribed, which can lead to catastrophic consequences. There is a lot of potassium in fruits and dried fruits, vegetables and herbs, meat.
  3. Reducing salt intake. Sodium chloride, after absorption into the blood, not only increases the risk of hypertension, but also causes an increase in the volume of circulating blood and fluid retention. Also excessive salt intake harmful to the kidneys .
  4. Adequate physical activity. Sports activity improves microcirculation and metabolic processes between blood vessels and tissues. Additionally, excess water is removed through sweat (up to 1.5 liters per day). For prevention of lymph stagnation in the vessels of the lower extremities, a simple walk is enough. The World Health Organization recommends taking at least 8,000-10,000 steps every day.
  5. Maintaining fluid balance. It is not recommended to consume volumes of water exceeding the daily norm (1.5-2 liters). Scientifically proven that increased hydration of the body negatively affects the functioning of the glomerular apparatus of the kidneys and leads to suppression of the formation of primary urine.

5 Proven Home Recipes

Below are the most popular &171;folk&187; recipes to combat edema with proven effectiveness.

1. A decoction of rosehip

Preparation scheme:

  1. Pour 50 g of the fruits of the plant 400 ml of boiling water.
  2. Let it brew for 3-4 hours.
  3. Strain.

Consume 100 ml 4 times a day, regardless of the meal. The duration of treatment is not limited.

2. Infusion of horsetail

The following ingredients will be required:

  • 4 tbsp dried horsetail;
  • 1 liter of boiling water.

The infusion is prepared as follows:

  1. Pour the horsetail with boiling water.
  2. Let the mixture stand for 1-2 hours. It is recommended to close the composition tightly with a lid.
  3. Strain.

Take 10-20 ml 3-4 times a day. The duration of therapy is up to 1 month.

3. Infusion of cumin seeds

Such a remedy is highly effective against peripheral edema. To prepare it, you should:

  1. Pour 2 tbsp. l. cumin seeds 200 ml of boiling water.
  2. Put in a water bath and keep on low heat for about 10 minutes.
  3. Cool the solution to room temperature. Strain it.
  4. Add 200 ml of warm boiled water.

Consume 100 ml 2 times a day 30 minutes before meals. The duration of treatment is 3 weeks.

4. Decoction of white radish

Cooking method:

  1. Finely chop about 350-400 g of radish.
  2. Mix radish with 1000 water.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
  4. Strain.

Take 100-200 ml 4-5 times a day instead of regular water or tea. The duration of therapy is 5 days.

5. Decoction of flaxseed

Recipe scheme:

  1. Pour 4 tablespoons of plant seeds with 1000 ml of water.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook over low heat for 15 minutes.
  3. Let it brew for 1 hour.
  4. Strain. Add 2-3 tsp lemon juice.

Consume 100 ml 6-8 times a day at regular intervals. The duration of treatment with this method is 3 weeks.

Do not forget that if any signs of peripheral or generalized edema appear, it is necessary to contact a specialist as soon as possible. Only a doctor can identify the cause and prescribe adequate therapy. Neglect of treatment can lead to life-threatening complications.

Conclusion

Thus, the inclusion of certain foods and beverages in the daily diet can provide reliable prevention of edematous syndrome (especially in the presence of concomitant diseases – circulatory insufficiency, kidney pathology). It should be noted that vegetable raw materials are effective only in cases of mild violations of water-electrolyte metabolism.