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Feeling bloated due to excess water weight? Here's how to lose it!

TNN | Last updated on - Jan 22, 2018, 16:00 IST

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Feeling bloated? Lose all that excess water weight!

FEELING BLOATED? LOSE ALL THAT EXCESS WATER WEIGHT! Carrying excess water in your body can make you feel bloated and heavy. Water weight can make your clothes and jewellery feel tight and thus, make you feel uncomfortable. Though there are easy dietary and lifestyle changes that can be done to get rid of excess water weight but before that, we need to know what exactly is water weight.

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What is water weight?

WHAT IS WATER WEIGHT? Water weight is water retention in the body, which is also called Edema. Water retention can cause swelling in arms and legs which can make you feel heavy in these parts of the body. The swelling can also lead to decline in movement. Water retention can also be a sign of other problems related to liver, heart and kidney. Women may feel this problem around their monthly cycle or during pregnancy. Also when you don’t move for long duration, your legs may swell, like after a long flight.

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How to be sure about water weight?

HOW TO BE SURE ABOUT WATER WEIGHT? If you feel swelling in your arms or legs and are not sure if this is due to fluid retention, there is a simple way to find out. Just press at the swollen part and if it leaves a dent then it is most likely the problem of Edema. Below are some tips which can help reduce water weight.

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Cut down your sodium intake

CUT DOWN YOUR SODIUM INTAKE: Taking high levels of sodium can make your body store more water in order to compensate for it and keep a balance of water to electrolyte. This can also raise your blood pressure, which in turn raises the risk of heart diseases. The best way to cut down on sodium is by saying no to packaged foods like chips, canned soup and frozen meals. All these foods have very high content of sodium in themAs an adult, keeping your salt intake less than 5 grams per day can help you prevent problems like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

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Take adequate amount of magnesium

TAKE ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF MAGNESIUM: Just like sodium, magnesium also has a role in maintaining the balance of electrolytes and fluid in the body. Magnesium is very important for women during their menstrual cycle as its adequate intake can help ward off PMS symptoms like mood swings, nausea and water retention. A study conducted on a few women, who were given 200 mg of magnesium every day, observed that these women felt less bloated and less heavy by the second month of their menstrual cycle.

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Increase your potassium intake

INCREASE YOUR POTASSIUM INTAKE: Potassium is helpful in restoring the electrolyte imbalance caused by high sodium intake. Having enough potassium can compensate for sodium intake. The increased intake of potassium can lead to formation of more urine and can help you get rid of excess water through urine.

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Get moving and sweat out that excess water

GET MOVING AND SWEAT OUT THAT EXCESS WATER: Sitting for longer duration can lead to water retention in your ankles and feet. Performing physical activity has proven to relieve the problem caused by water retention. Moving leads to sweating and boosts blood circulation. Raise your legs when you are seated for a long time. Cycling, walking and swimming are recommended to reduce water retention caused by lack of physical activity.

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Take cranberry juice and cardamom

TAKE CRANBERRY JUICE AND CARDAMOM: Cardamom and cranberry juice both are diuretic in nature. Diuretic means any substance that increases the production of urine. The exact amount and doze of cardamom you need to come will depend on your age, weight, height and other factors. Cranberry juice does the same by increasing the production of urine and thus, helping you get rid of extra water. Go for an unsweetened version so that you do not load up on extra calories.

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Try acupuncture

TRY ACUPUNCTURE: Fluid retention can be due to some issues with the spleen (canter of the body for fluid circulation). So, if your spleen doesn’t function properly, it may lead to the problem of water retention. But acupuncture is only recommended once a doctor investigates you and diagnoses you with spleen problem. You should get it done only by a specialist or therapist.

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Investigating underlying cause is important

INVESTIGATING UNDERLYING CAUSE IS IMPORTANT: Apart from the remedies mentioned above, one should definitely go and get himself checked as water retention may be a symptom of a serious underlying health issue.

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Feeling bloated due to excess water weight? Here's how to lose it!

Feeling bloated? Lose all that excess water weight!

​What is water weight?

​How to be sure about water weight?

​Cut down your sodium intake

​Take adequate amount of magnesium

​Increase your potassium intake

​​Get moving and sweat out that excess water

​Take cranberry juice and cardamom

​Try acupuncture

​Investigating underlying cause is important