Smoothy Slim
Smoothy Slim
Photo: Julia Volk
Caffeine and beverages that contain caffeine, such as coffee and tea, have diuretic effects and may help reduce water weight. It has been shown to increase short-term urine output and decrease water weight slightly ( 28 , 29).
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The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.
Learn More »Making changes to your diet and workout routine can help reduce water weight and prevent fluid build-up. Certain supplements may also be beneficial. The human body contains around 60% water, which plays a key role in all aspects of life ( 1 ). Still, many people worry about water weight. This especially applies to professional athletes and bodybuilders who wish to meet a weight category or improve their appearance. Excess water retention, also known as edema, is a different issue. Though it’s usually harmless, it may be a side effect of serious medical conditions, such as heart, liver, or kidney disease ( 2 ). People may also experience water retention during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle and during pregnancy ( 3 , 4). This article is for healthy people and athletes who wish to reduce their water weight. If you have a serious edema — swelling of your feet or arms — consult a doctor to determine the cause and best course of treatment. Here are 8 ways to reduce excess water weight fast and safely. 1. Exercise on a regular basis Share on Pinterest Image credit: Aleksandar Nakic/Getty Images Exercise may be one of the best ways to reduce water weight in the short-term. Any form of exercise increases sweat, which means you will lose water. It’s not uncommon to lose a small amount of body weight from sweating during exercise, depending on factors such as heat and clothing ( 5 ). During exercise, your body also shifts a lot of water into your muscles. This can help reduce water outside of the cell and decrease the “soft” look people report from excessive water retention ( 6 ). However, you still need to drink plenty of water during your training session. Another good option to increase sweat and water loss is the sauna, which you could add in after your gym session. summary Regular exercise can help you maintain a natural balance of body fluids and sweat out excess stored water. 2. Increase potassium consumption Potassium is an important electrolyte involved in regulating fluid balance ( 7 ). It helps counteract the effects of sodium by increasing urine production, which could prevent water retention and fluid build-up ( 7 , 8 ). Increasing your intake of potassium may be beneficial for reducing excess water weight, especially if you aren’t regularly eating potassium-rich foods. Many fruits and vegetables are high in potassium, including potatoes, apricots, spinach, and tomatoes ( 7 ). Other good sources of potassium include lentils, kidney beans, poultry, seafood, and dairy products ( 7 ). summary Potassium can increase urine production and counteract the effects of sodium, which may help prevent fluid build-up. 3. Manage salt intake Sodium, which you obtain daily from salt, is one of the most common electrolytes in the human body. It plays a major role in hydration levels. If sodium levels are too low or too high, it will lead to imbalances within the body and, therefore, fluid retention. A high salt intake, usually due to a diet with lots of processed foods, may increase water retention ( 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ). However, this seems to depend on the individual’s current daily sodium intake and blood levels. In fact, some research suggests that a sudden increase in sodium consumption may lead to increased thirst and fluid intake, which could result in fluid retention (13). summary Salt or sodium plays a key role in fluid balance. Try to avoid extreme changes, such as excessive salt intake or the elimination of salt altogether.
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This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.
Learn More »4. Take a magnesium supplement Magnesium is another key electrolyte and mineral. It has recently become a very popular supplement for health and sports performance. Research regarding magnesium has been extensive and shows that it has over 600 roles within the human body ( 14 ). Some studies also suggest that magnesium can ease symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), including water retention ( 15 ). These changes occur because magnesium plays an integrative role with other electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium. Together, they help control your body’s water balance ( 16 ). Magnesium supplements have numerous other potential health benefits for people who are lacking it in their diet. In addition to magnesium supplements, magnesium-rich foods are also recommended. These include dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains ( 16 ). summary Magnesium intake should be optimized, as it plays a key role in hydration levels and fluid balance. 5. Take a dandelion supplement Dandelion, also known as Taraxacum officinale, is an herb used in alternative medicine to treat water retention (17). In recent years, it has also become popular among bodybuilders and athletes who need to drop water for aesthetic purposes or to meet a weight category ( 18 ). Dandelion supplements may help you lose water weight by signaling the kidneys to expel more urine and additional salt or sodium. This is supported by some older studies, which show that taking dandelion supplements increases the frequency of urination over a 5-hour period ( 19 ). However, despite its popularity, more research is required on the effectiveness of dandelion supplements on water retention. summary Dandelion is a popular herb often used by bodybuilders and athletes who need to lose water weight. 7. Cut carbs Cutting carbs is a common strategy to quickly drop excess water. Carbs are stored in the muscles and liver as glycogen, but glycogen also pulls water inside along with it. For every gram of glycogen you store, 3–4 grams (0.11–0.14 ounces) of water may be stored with it. This explains why people experience immediate weight loss when switching to a low carb diet, which reduces glycogen stores ( 26 ). Carbs also lead to a rise in the hormone insulin, which can increase sodium retention and reabsorption of water in the kidneys (27). Low carb diets lead to a drop in insulin levels, which could lead to a loss of sodium and water from the kidneys. Try altering your carb intake and see what works best for you. summary A low carb diet can cause a rapid decrease in water weight because of reduced glycogen stores and lower insulin levels.
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A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.
Learn More »8. Take caffeine supplements or drink tea and coffee Caffeine and beverages that contain caffeine, such as coffee and tea, have diuretic effects and may help reduce water weight. It has been shown to increase short-term urine output and decrease water weight slightly ( 28 , 29). This may vary depending on the amount of caffeine that is consumed. For instance, one small study found that drinking about 537 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, or approximately 6 cups of coffee, significantly increased urine production. On the other hand, drinking 269 mg of caffeine, or around 3 cups of coffee, had no effect on fluid balance ( 28 ). Furthermore, even though caffeine may have a mild diuretic effect, other research suggests that it doesn’t lead to dehydration in habitual consumers ( 30 ). summary Some research suggests that caffeine from coffee, tea, or caffeine supplements may help you drop excess water. However, more studies are needed.
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This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.
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