Most people think of drugs & herbs when we talk about diuretics. However, foods can also be diuretics too. Foods that can help reduce swelling are diuretics and they are safe and effective as diuretic herbs.
Natural diuretics can aid in removal of excess fluids from the body and aid in treating of sciatica, kidney stone, lymphatic swelling, PMS, gonorrhoea, liver disorders and high blood pressure.There are foods you can eat to help you with this.
9 Natural Diuretic Foods and Drinks
Garlic
Garlic helps at cleansing the body, while also having a diuretic effect. You can take garlic supplements or just use it more when cooking. It only takes a little of it to notice a beneficial difference.
Lemon
Lemon is effective in cases of hypertension, and is frequently one of the first foods recommended to patients with certain medical conditions. Simply add the juice to your water or other foods to get the desired effects. Lemon is also used to treat cases of urinary tract infection.
Cucumber
Cucumber contains a high water content which make it a good choice as a natural diuretic. It is also known to contain high amount of silicon and sulfur. Silicon and sulfur induce the kidneys for elimination of uric acids. This contributes to an efficient system of waste removal from body and relief from being overstuffed and bloated.
Asparagus
Asparagus packs low calories and contains a lot of vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin B and vitamin C. Glutathione, a phytochemical found in asparagus acts as an oxidant and has anti-carcinogenic properties. Asparagine, an amino acid found in asparagus, is an efficient diuretic and has been known to treat swelling, arthritis, rheumatism, and PMS-related water retention.
Ginger
Ginger is also highly beneficial even when taken in small quantities, like when you savor your meal with it or when you add a bit of ginger root to your water. As it offers powerful cleansing effects to your body, it is frequently used in detox programs. In addition, it works as a diuretic helping your body to dispose of any retained fluid.
Celery
Celery seed speeds up uric acid excretion and increases the rate of urine production. These are the means by which celery detoxifies the body. Celery is recommended for treating bladder disorders, cystitis and other kidney problems because of its diuretic actions.
Caffeinated Beverages
Coffee and tea along with any caffeinated beverage act as a diuretic. When it comes to consuming foods for their diuretic properties, it’s best to weigh the pros and cons. The caffeine in these beverages may be harmful to the body so you better opt for other foods and drinks that offer a similar effect without the use of a substance such as caffeine.
Tomatoes
Naturally, tomatoes have about 90% water content. They also contain antioxidant such as lycopene, beta-carotene, vitamin C and selenium. These antioxidants prevent the damages caused by free radicals to body tissues leading to premature aging and many chronic degenerative diseases. When these free radicals damage the walls of the blood vessels, they can cause the leakage of fluids and therefor, local swelling.
Carrots
Carrots are widely regarded as one of the most effective diuretic vegetables. This is as because of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants they contain. Some of the phytochemicals in carrots are lutein, lycopene, carotenes, zeaxanthin and xanthophyll. These phytochemicals can promote detoxification and increase the rate of metabolism and in the process discharge vitamins and minerals.
Additional Sources:
(ii) http://bembu.com/diuretic-foods
(iii) http://www.progressivehealth.com/these-foods-may-act-as-natural-diuretics.htm
(iv) http://blood-pressure.gear.host/natural-diuretics-to-lower-blood-pressure.php
