- Limit salt
Salt is made up of sodium and chloride salt. Sodium binds to water in the body and helps maintain fluid balance both inside and outside the cells.
The increased consumption of foods with a high salt content, such as processed foods, results in the body retaining some fluids. In fact, these foods are the largest dietary source of sodium.
The most common advice to reduce fluid retention is to reduce sodium intake.
- Increase your magnesium intake
Magnesium is a very important mineral. Increasing your magnesium intake can help reduce fluid retention. Good sources of magnesium are: nuts, whole grains, dark chocolate and leafy green vegetables.
- Increase your intake of vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is important for the formation of red blood cells and they serve many other functions in the body. It has been shown to reduce fluid retention in women with PMS.
Foods rich in vitamin B6 include bananas, potatoes, nuts and meat.
- Potassium
Potassium plays an important role in our body. For example, it helps send the electrical signals that keep the body running. It may also benefit heart health. But it also helps to reduce retention in two ways, by reducing sodium levels and increasing urine production.
Rich foods are, bananas, avocados and tomatoes are examples of foods high in potassium.