Edema is the swelling, commonly in your ankles, feet, and legs, that results from excess fluid. Drinking plenty of water, eating less salty and sugary foods, and staying physically active can help you lose water weight.

Certain supplements might help your body retain less fluids. Keep in mind that water weight and edema are sometimes signs of a health condition, such as congestive heart failure or deep vein thrombosis DVT , a severe blood clot.

It's essential that you talk to a healthcare provider about ways to reduce water weight. You might require blood thinners or diuretics, depending on the cause.

You might think that putting more water into your body adds more water weight. It turns out that the opposite is true. Your body will hold on to whatever water it has if it's dehydrated. Make sure that you get plenty of water, especially if you are eating salty or sugary foods.

It might help to limit tea, coffee, and alcohol, all of which can dehydrate you. Cranberry juice, in contrast, has a slight diuretic effect and may help flush out excess water. Choosing hydrating foods is a safe and healthy way to lose excess water weight and helps hydrate you.

Take in more fluids, even in the form of hydrating foods, to ultimately help your body excrete water. Hydrating foods include fruits and vegetables like:. Try eating more potassium-rich foods like leafy greens and potatoes. Potassium also helps you get rid of excess sodium. Physical activity is key to losing water weight.

Not only will you sweat out some fluid, but you'll also need to rehydrate. Moving around can also help reduce puffiness.

Stop the car at regular intervals while driving long distances to get out and stretch your legs. Move around if possible while riding buses, planes, and trains. You can even do simple exercises with your feet and legs while sitting. Regular exercise is important if you are pregnant, which increases swelling in the legs and ankles.

Resting with your feet up also helps reduce that swelling. Quality sleep is generally essential for your overall health. Experts advise that adults get about seven to nine hours of sleep per night.

It turns out that sleep may help decrease water weight. Research has found that your kidneys can effectively manage the amount of water and sodium they store when you get adequate rest. Salty and sugar foods make your body hold onto more water than usual.

Try cutting down on high-sodium foods, such as bacon, cookies, donuts, and ham. Replace sugary drinks with water flavored with pieces of fruit or cucumber slices.

Cook from scratch when you can, using fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Read the label if you need to use a packaged item. Compare the sodium and added sugar contents across similar products. Your body stores excess carbs that it does not use right away in your cells as glycogen, which has three grams of water.

Most people on a 2,calorie diet need grams of carbs per day. Try swapping bread and pasta for meat, fish, or poultry to cut down on your carb intake. Excess cortisol, the stress hormone, may increase water weight. Cortisol levels directly correlate to antidiuretic hormone ADH levels. ADH communicates with your kidneys to control the amount of water in your body.

Electrolytes , like magnesium and potassium, help manage the amount of water that your body stores. As a result, you might gain water weight if your electrolyte levels are out of balance. Water does not have electrolytes, so reach for a sports drink to replenish them.

You might also consider electrolyte supplements if you are significantly increasing or decreasing your water intake. Dandelion and magnesium supplements might help manage water weight.

Research has found that dandelion has a diuretic effect. Magnesium is an electrolyte that helps control the amount of water inside your body. Some evidence suggests that vitamin B6 supplements reduce bloating and decrease premenstrual syndrome PMS symptoms.

More research is needed to know exactly how vitamin B6 affects PMS symptoms. There are several factors that result in excess fluid in your body. Some of the most common causes include eating too much salt, sitting for long periods, and taking certain medications.

Some blood pressure drugs, like calcium channel blockers, increase fluid retention. Certain anti-inflammatory medications like corticosteroids also cause your body to hold onto sodium and lose potassium, resulting in added water weight.

Talk to a healthcare provider to determine if your medication is the cause of water weight. They might be able to provide an alternative medication. Cortisol is best known as a stress hormone, although it's much more than that. The hormone helps keep your blood sugar and blood pressure levels stable, supports metabolism, reduces inflammation, and helps form memories.

Although rare, fluid retention might be the result of elevated cortisol levels. Cushing syndrome, for instance, might cause your body to hold on to sodium. This disorder occurs when tumors on the adrenal and pituitary glands release too much cortisol into your blood. Some people with an underactive thyroid hypothyroidism may have swelling around their eyes.

Estrogen and progestin, hormones in birth control pills , might increase fluid retention. This water weight is usually temporary and not significant. Still, you may want to talk to a healthcare provider about other birth control options if you are uncomfortable.

Fluctuating hormones cause many people to retain water the week before their period. You might also notice swelling in your breasts, causing tenderness, during that time.

Swelling in the legs is also common. Your circulatory system naturally becomes weaker as you age. The valves in the veins of your legs, which keep blood flowing upward to your heart, collapse a little.

As a result, blood pools in your legs and causes fluid retention. Severe health conditions, like congestive heart failure, also cause poor circulation.

Pregnancy may cause you to gain water weight, especially as you get closer to your due date. You may see swelling in your hands, feet, or ankles.

Hormones are partly to blame, but the growing fetus also places strain on your blood vessels. Keep in mind that water weight may not all come off the minute after delivery.

You might have developed a blood clot if you suddenly have swelling that hurts, especially in one leg. Get immediate medical attention if that's the case. One of the most common causes of water weight is excess salt in your diet.

Sodium binds with water and traps it in your body. Carbs can also impact fluid retention, especially if you start adding them back after a period of restricting them.

Glycogen pulls in water. As a result, the more glycogen your body stores, the more water you take in. Sitting for long periods on cross-country flights or long road trips can cause water retention.

Your muscles contract from sitting too long. Your feet and legs may swell in response as fluid pools there. Water weight is not typically a cause for concern. You can typically lose water weight using home remedies.

Still, excess fluid build-up and swelling are sometimes signs of a severe health condition, such as heart, liver, or kidney disease. See a healthcare provider if you have:. There are many possible causes of water weight, including eating a lot of salty and sugary foods, sitting for long periods, and taking certain medications.

Try these tips to help you get rid of that extra fluid. Some lifestyle changes might help. The most effective intervention among the studies was the replacement of caloric beverages with water. The quality of the evidence for the primary outcome of weight loss was rated low to moderate.

The main limitation of these results is the short-term follow up-period. In conclusion, despite 5. El consumo de agua se ha propuesto como medida para la pérdida de peso; sin embargo, la evidencia de su eficacia es limitada. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en cadena en PubMed, EBSCO y Cochrane Library para identificar estudios elegibles que midieran cuantitativamente el cambio de peso corporal después de sus intervenciones.

Esta revisión incluye seis ECA que reportan diferentes estrategias para alcanzar la pérdida de peso: incremento del consumo diario de agua, reemplazo de bebidas calóricas por agua y sobrecarga con agua previa a las comidas.

Todos los estudios mostraron un efecto de pérdida de peso después del seguimiento, con un rango de La intervención más efectiva entre los estudios fue el reemplazo de bebidas calóricas por agua.

La calidad de la evidencia para el resultado primario de pérdida de peso fue calificada de baja a moderada. La principal limitación de estos resultados es el corto periodo de seguimiento.

Drinking water can help reduce appetite and make you burn more calories. Several studies show that water can help you lose weight. Water retention, known as edema, is swelling in parts of the body.

Learn the symptoms, causes, and remedies to try. Patients with diabetes who used GLP-1 drugs, including tirzepatide, semaglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide had a decreased chance of being diagnosed…. Some studies suggest vaping may help manage your weight, but others show mixed…. The amount of time it takes to recover from weight loss surgery depends on the type of surgery and surgical technique you receive.

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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 8 Easy Ways to Lose Water Weight Fast and Safely. Medically reviewed by Imashi Fernando, MS, RDN, CDCES — By Rudy Mawer, MSc, CISSN — Updated on November 27, Exercise Increase potassium Manage salt intake Magnesium supplements Try dandelion Eat certain foods and herbs Cut carbs Consume caffeine Causes FAQ When to see a doctor Takeaway Water weight, also called edema, is when you have a build-up of fluid in your body.

Exercise on a regular basis. Increase potassium consumption. Manage salt intake. Take a magnesium supplement. Take a dandelion supplement. Consider certain foods and herbs. Cut carbs. Take caffeine supplements or drink tea and coffee. Causes of water weight.

Frequently asked questions. When to see a doctor. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Nov 27, Written By Rudy Mawer. Medically Reviewed By Imashi Fernando, MS, RDN, CDCES. Oct 20, Written By Rudy Mawer. Share this article. Read this next. By Kris Gunnars, BSc. By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD and Hrefna Palsdottir, MS. How Drinking More Water Can Help You Lose Weight. Losing weight in 1 month at home naturally requires dedication.

Create a calorie deficit by consuming fewer calories than you burn. Eat whole foods, exercise regularly, and track your progress. Be patient and consistent with your efforts. Losing weight after pregnancy naturally takes time. Focus on a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.

Start with light exercises postpartum and gradually increase intensity. To lose weight naturally without exercise, prioritize your diet. Control portion sizes, avoid processed foods, and opt for nutrient-dense options.

Stay active in daily life through activities like walking and standing more. However, incorporating some form of physical activity is recommended for optimal results.

To lose weight naturally and permanently, establish healthy habits. Make long-term dietary changes, exercise regularly, manage stress, and get enough sleep. Avoid crash diets and prioritize sustainable lifestyle adjustments. To lose water weight within 2 days, increase water intake, consume diuretic foods, engage in light exercise, limit sodium intake, and avoid processed foods.

However, this is a temporary solution, and long-term weight loss requires sustainable practices. To lose water weight naturally in a week, focus on healthy habits.

Include diuretic foods such as asparagus and celery. Exercise regularly to promote sweating and support fluid balance. Remember, sustainable weight loss is gradual, and these strategies are primarily for reducing temporary water retention. Skip to main content Buoy Logo.

Nav Open Icon. AI symptom checker Symptoms Chevron Icon. Chevron Icon. Symptoms Conditions Chevron Icon. Find care. Weight Management. How to Lose Water Weight Naturally? Updated January 25, Facebook Icon. LinkedIn Icon. Pinterest Icon. Pocket Icon. Water weight causes temporary gain and swelling ; choosing low-sodium options and diuretic foods can aid in reduction.

A balanced electrolyte intake, staying hydrated, and incorporating regular exercise support natural water weight loss. Managing sodium intake by choosing whole foods and reducing processed snacks helps combat water retention.

Quality sleep, stress management, and mindful eating contribute to overall well-being and aid in weight loss efforts. Illustration of a healthcare provider asking questions on a smart phone. Virtual weight loss solution. A personalized GLP-1 medication program eg.

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What is Water Weight? Source: Health Shots Water weight, medically known as edema, is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of excess fluid within the body's tissues. Some medical conditions associated with water weight include: Heart Conditions: Heart failure can lead to fluid retention, particularly in the legs, ankles, and abdomen.

Kidney Disease: Impaired kidney function can affect fluid regulation, leading to edema in the legs, feet, or around the eyes. Liver Disease: Liver cirrhosis can accumulate fluid in the abdomen ascites and other body parts.

Venous Insufficiency: Vein issues can hinder blood return to the heart, causing edema, usually in the lower legs.

Lymphatic Disorders: Lymphedema can cause localized fluid buildup, often in the arms or legs. Medication Side Effects: Some medications, like those for blood pressure or specific medical conditions, can have edema as a side effect. Infections and Inflammation: Infections or inflammatory conditions can lead to localized or systemic edema in response to injury or illness.

However, you don't want to use water pills, aka diuretics, to lose water weight without talking to your doctor first. Sometimes, doctors will prescribe diuretics to people with high blood pressure to help reduce the amount of salt in the body. But diuretics come with a case of side effects, such as dizziness, headaches , muscle cramps, and dehydration, so be sure to consult your MD, especially if you're taking certain medications.

Research in the American Journal of Kidney Disease links higher dietary potassium with less sodium in the kidneys, and thus, reduce water retention and blood pressure. Intake recommendations are 4. Reach your daily quota with these 13 delicious foods that have more potassium than a banana.

Beyond burning a few calories about calories in 20 minutes for a pound person , adding steps to your schedule can coax your cells into shedding water. Conquer desk drain by setting a reminder to walk for at least five minute every hour.

Just be sure to hydrate throughout your workout to help replenish electrolytes. Some water weight is normal, says Jessica Cording, M. But, when you gain it in excess, it can translate to a higher number on the scale, she says.

There are a lot of different reasons why people gain water weight. According to the Mayo Clinic , those can include:. Tried all seven of these action items and still not having luck? Taub-Dix says, "This could be a sign of a blood pressure issue, medication problem or other health concern.

Certain diseases such as kidney disease and thyroid conditions can cause edema. If you suspect you have edema, talk to your doctor about running some tests. Karla Walsh is a Des Moines, Iowa-based freelance writer, editor, freelance writing coach and level one sommelier who balances her love of food and drink with her passion for fitness or tries to, at least!

She has over 15 years of professional experience covering food, wine, travel, nutrition, health, fitness, psychology, beauty, relationships and beyond.

Weight Loss Drugs May Impact Blood Pressure.