Water retention

Liquid retention is the consequence of the accumulation of liquid in our body tissues. It happens when there is an imbalance between the forces that regulate the liquid flow from one area to another one. If the water flow is abundant from the intravascular area to the interstitial, liquid retention happens. Our body, through a complex hormone system, is constantly adjusting liquid levels in order to maintain them constant. That is why if we drink more water than we should, nothing happens, because it is eliminated by the kidneys in the form of urine (likewise it is not good to drink too much water because you overwork the kidneys), or through the sweat glands. The problem appears when, due to any cause, the body is incapable of eliminating all the necessary liquid to maintain this equilibrium, in this case the so called water retention happens. How to fight it? - Eliminate all simple carbohydrates of your diet (white sugar, refined flour, sweats, cakes, etc.). - Eliminate alcohol and any processed food (everything that comes in a can or a bag). - Eliminate all kinds of fritters, sautés and saturated fats. - Decrease the consumption of sodium, which means less than 1500 milligrams per day. You can achieve this by: not putting salt in your meals, avoiding canned foods and light drinks (sodas, pasteurized juices, Nestea, and flavored waters). - Choose fruits such as: watermelon, melon, papaya, and pineapple, and consume them only up to 4 pm. - Select vegetables with low glycemic index (for example: spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cucumber or red or green peppers). - Eat foods high in potassium, for example coconut water. - Reduce foods that increase the production of gas or flatulence (dairy products, broccoli, cauliflower, gum, apple, pear, cereal, grains and sodas). - Do cardiovascular exercises (45 minutes per day is ideal) - Drink up to 3 litters of water per day. WARNING: this deficient flow and incapability of the cells, many times can be genetic. Which means that, there are people that naturally retain more liquid than others. And YES life is unfair, but look on the bright side, and make the BEST of it! Turn that frown upside down!