Water is an important component of the human body, but excess fluid can work against our health. Here’s the scoop on how to lose water weight safely.
The average adult body comprises approximately 60 percent water, meaning adequate hydration is essential for keeping our bodies at their best.1 But did you know that excessive water retention can negatively affect our overall health?
While some people may be concerned about water weight and its effects on their outward appearance, excessive water retention or edema can be linked to more concerning issues. Excess water weight, though harmless in some situations, can be related to specific chronic health concerns. For example, edema can result from heart, liver, and kidney issues and may even exacerbate the problems further.
In this article, we’ll break down the science behind water weight, common lifestyle triggers, and its potential impact when retained in excess. And, of course, we’ll discuss how to lose water weight safely.
If you notice your clothes fit a little differently than last night or the number on your scale jumped up unexpectedly, you might be dealing with some water retention. But, no need to panic and no need to start slashing calories.
Our body weight fluctuates daily for several reasons, many of which can be linked to the body’s inclination to hold on to water. While you may not be a fan of the puffiness that accompanies fluid retention, water weight is perfectly normal. In fact, the human body uses its fluid balance as a form of protection against dehydration.
However, monitoring your body’s water balance is critical to ensure that excess fluid buildup doesn’t contribute to chronic medical concerns. Extra water can “sit” on your organs, forcing them to work harder than they should.
For example, if your body is storing extra fluid in the tissues surrounding your heart, your heart has to pump under the excess weight of that fluid. Over time, that puts unnecessary stress on a highly essential organ. And it’s not limited to the heart. Other organs can suffer from chronic excess fluid.
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Anyone can experience fluid retention, but some lifestyle factors and underlying medical conditions can increase your risk.
Fluid retention can result from a high-sodium diet, menstruation, certain medications, poor circulation, and elevated cortisol levels. Of course, edema can also result from underlying medical conditions such as heart failure, cirrhosis, kidney disease, obesity, and pregnancy.
Multiple factors, including the following, can cause water retention:
A diet rich in sodium causes the body to retain water to dilute the sodium levels in your system. This increases the fluid in your cells and in your bloodstream.
A sedentary lifestyle is a common culprit for water retention. Sitting or standing still for an extended period causes an unusual amount of fluid to build up in your tissues as gravity pulls blood toward your extremities. Thankfully, movement helps to maintain good blood flow and circulation. So keep moving!
Our capillaries transport important nutrients and oxygenated blood to the body’s tissues. However, when our capillaries are damaged, liquid can leak into the gaps between our cells, resulting in water retention.
The lymphatic system is most known for its role in delivering and reabsorbing lymphatic fluid that contains white blood cells that fight against bacteria in the bloodstream. However, it is also critical in maintaining the body’s fluid balance. A malfunctioning lymphatic system can translate to a disruption in water retention.
Unfortunately, premenstrual syndrome or PMS is attributed as one of the many causes of water weight gain. This is because fluid retention can vary between the phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. In addition, changes in sex hormones, including progesterone and estrogen, can cause bloating and puffiness in the days leading up to their period.
Some medications, including drugs for high blood pressure, cancer, and depression, can cause an increase in water weight. Some over-the-counter pain relievers can also increase the amount of water your body retains.
The heart’s pumping mechanism is critical in maintaining proper pressure within our blood vessels. If the heart can’t pump blood properly, it can lead to water retention in the body.
The kidneys are in charge of filtering the blood and supporting the body’s overall fluid balance. If the kidneys aren’t functioning at full strength, they cannot eliminate fluids, sodium, and other wastes, causing the fluid to build up in the body.
Short of taking diuretic water pills, what can we do to lose excess fluids? Read on to find out how to reduce water weight.
Sometimes carbs get a bad rap, but, in reality, our bodies rely on carbohydrates for energy. It’s when we overdo it with carbs that we get ourselves into trouble. This is because when we eat carbohydrates, any energy our bodies don’t need gets stored as glycogen molecules.
And since research shows that every gram of glycogen is stored with at least three grams of water, excess carbohydrate intake can cause a build-up of water weight.2 No need to follow a low-carb diet. Try to choose nutrient-dense carbs and be mindful of your serving sizes.
Physical activity can be an excellent option for those trying to lose water weight fast through natural remedies. Any exercise that causes the body to sweat can help you quickly shed water weight.
Working out increases your circulation and improves blood flow, helping to move water into your muscles to support their growth and recovery. It also helps burn off glycogen energy, which we know can help reduce water weight.
It sounds counterintuitive, but our bodies are brilliant machines. For example, if your body is constantly dehydrated, it will fight to retain fluids to prevent water levels from dropping dangerously low.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends a daily intake of approximately 3.7 liters of water for men and 2.7 liters for women.3 But, of course, you must adjust your intake to ensure you drink enough water after exercise and on hot days.
Potassium has many roles in the body, including maintaining intracellular fluid volume. Electrolytes counteract the effects of sodium to prevent fluid from building up while also increasing urine production.4
To support a healthy fluid balance, include potassium-rich foods like bananas, tomatoes, and avocados.
Monitoring your salt intake is critical if you’re concerned about water retention. Sodium, a major component of salt, is an electrolyte that the human body needs in small amounts to maintain fluid balance and keep muscles and nerves operating smoothly.5
The body requires a delicate balance of sodium to water. Overeating salt skews the ratio and can result in rapid water retention.
The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting your sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams daily.6 That’s just one—yep, just one— teaspoon of salt daily. In addition, be mindful of your dietary choices. Avoid processed foods as feasible, limit fast food, and opt for fresh, whole foods when possible.
Magnesium plays many roles in the human body. It’s involved in hundreds of enzymatic reactions, may help alleviate symptoms of PMS, and can help reduce water retention.
Good sources of magnesium include foods such as nuts, whole grains, leafy green vegetables, and dark chocolate. Not a fan of magnesium-rich foods? It’s also available in supplemental form.
No two bodies are the same, so the time it takes to lose water weight depends on a few factors. The rate at which we lose our water weight is influenced by how much water we retain, the cause behind the weight gain, and the methods we use to lose it.
For example, if you have one high-sodium meal and then return to your typical, healthy habits, you’ll likely notice water weight loss within a day or two. But if you are retaining water after overindulging for a few weeks, it may take longer.
If the number on the scale has changed, how do you know if it’s related to water weight or fat gain? Water weight gain occurs when our cells hold onto extra water, no matter how many calories we eat. Fat gain, on the other hand, occurs when our calorie intake exceeds our energy output.
To gain a pound of fat, you must consume an additional 3,500 calories than your baseline expenditure. The same goes for fat loss. You need to be in a 3,500-calorie deficit to lose a pound of fat. For most, it’s easier to lose water weight than it is to lose fat mass.
<p class="pro-tip"><strong>Learn more: </strong> <a href="/blog/acupuncture-for-weight-loss">Does Acupuncture Really Do the Trick for Weight Loss? </a>.</p>
Stay hydrated to keep your body from going into protective mode. When your body is dehydrated, it’s more inclined to retain water.
Unused carbohydrates are stored as glycogen, accompanied by multiple water molecules. Therefore, eat carbs in moderation to avoid excess fluid retention.
Physical activity is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. Regarding water retention, exercise helps remove excess fluids through sweat and improves blood flow.
Don’t skimp on your sleep. When we sleep, our bodies efficiently undergo various metabolic processes to keep us running smoothly. These processes use the body’s water, helping maintain proper fluid balance.
High levels of sodium in the body can cause water retention. Limit processed foods like canned products, chips, crackers, and deli meats. Look for low-sodium options or choose the fresh option when possible.
While it’s ideal to meet your nutrition needs through whole foods, sometimes it’s unrealistic. Consider talking with your registered dietitian to design a supplement schedule that meets your needs. You might consider taking electrolytes and vitamins like potassium, magnesium, dandelion herb, and vitamin B6 to help your fluid status.
Water weight is not usually a cause for alarm, but in some cases, it can be a symptom of a severe underlying medical condition. Therefore, even for a mild case of water retention, it is beneficial to consult your medical doctor and registered dietitian nutritionist. Some symptoms that indicate a need for prompt medical care include:
Water weight occurs when fluid collects in your tissues, typically due to lifestyle habits or underlying medical conditions. It’s usually nothing to be concerned about, but discussing unintentional fluid weight gain with your doctor is smart.
Excess fluid balance can manifest as edema on your extremities, bloating, and puffiness.
Losing water weight can depend on multiple factors.
Adjusting your diet is the fastest way to reduce water retention. Limit your sodium intake and eat carbohydrates in moderation.
Water weight fluctuates more significantly and rapidly than weight gain from fat. This is because weight changes from fat depend more on calorie intake.
Continuous glucose monitoring can be a game-changer as you embrace your health. Signos works by providing users with real-time data so they can understand how their nutrition choices affect their overall health. You know what they say— knowledge is power!
Signos can improve your health by helping you keep track of your diet and pointing you to healthy eating habits. Want to know if Signos is a good fit for you? Start by taking a quick quiz!
<p class="pro-tip"><strong>Keep reading: </strong> <a href="/blog/fat-loss-vs-weight-loss">Fat Loss vs. Weight Loss: Which One Should You Aim For?</a>.</p>
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