The body is made up of about 60% of water, which is very important for healthy living. However, when it becomes too much, it results in chronic inflammation. Edema, also known as excess water retention, can be caused by poor diet, toxin exposure, or diseases that may have altered the body’s proper functioning. What then do you do if your body has hoarded so much water?
1. Have a good night’s sleep
Sleep is very important in your life and should not be traded for anything. While you sleep, a lot of things go on in your body, which includes the regulation of sodium and water balance, and the flushing of toxins. Water retention is also reduced when you sleep, as it helps your body to control water hydration. The ideal duration for sleep every night is about 8 to 9 hours; once it drops below 6, this is considered quite unhealthy.
2. Take electrolytes
One of the important roles of electrolytes in the body is to regulate water balance. An increase or a decrease in electrolytes level can cause a shift in fluid balance, and result in weight gain. This is why it is important that your electrolyte intake should be equal to your water intake, to create a balance. If you drink more water, you should take in more electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals with an electric charge, like magnesium and potassium.
3. Manage salt intakes
It is usually advisable to minimize the amount of processed foods you take in, as these foods are preserved with salts, which makes their sodium content really high.
4. Drink more water
As ironic as this may seem, it is very effective. Drinking more water actually reduces water retention. Here is the logic: when you are dehydrated, your body tends to retain the little you have in store, so little or nothing is being excreted from your body. If it goes on this way, you body will withhold so much water, hence causing edema. Drinking adequate water will help to keep your body well hydrated and balanced.
Excess water in the body may pose little or no risk for some people, but it actually affects most people. Edema can be linked to diabetes, obesity, and heart failure, but the risk of all these can be reduced by managing how much water your body retains.
