Where does edema come from and 10 foods that help drain water (Part 1)
Fat, Plan Part 5
Where does edema come from?
Don't underestimate the problems of edema and poor lymphatic circulation. Edema is becoming more common among young women today, and it is closely related to their lifestyle and personal health.
Excessive salt intake
Salt's main component is sodium, which absorbs water and is retained in the body. Therefore, consuming excessive salt can cause edema.
Wearing tight clothes
Lymphatic vessels and veins are the channels that carry water back to the heart, and they are very close to the body's surface. Wearing tight clothing can hinder the flow of fluids.
Drinking too much water
Excess water in the body will eventually be excreted as urine through the kidneys. If you drink too much water, your kidneys will be overloaded and unable to function effectively, thus failing to excrete all the water.
When sleep is insufficient or when fatigued
If you are chronically sleep-deprived or fatigued, carbon dioxide and waste products will accumulate in your cells, causing insufficient oxygen in the cells. As a result, the blood vessels that supply oxygen will dilate, increasing blood flow and water retention. This makes it difficult for water to return to the heart, leading to edema.
High heels
Wearing shoes that are too high-heeled or too tight will cause your feet to become tense and fixed, preventing the veins in your feet from smoothly returning blood to your heart, and causing water retention in your body.
Standing or sitting for long periods of time
Maintaining the same posture for extended periods prevents muscle movement, hindering blood circulation and causing excess water to accumulate in the body. Prolonged standing also causes gravity to draw water downwards, making it harder for it to return to the heart, thus increasing the risk of edema.
After drinking
After drinking alcohol, your face will turn red and your blood vessels will dilate. At this time, a large amount of water seeps out from the dilated arterial walls and cannot be returned by the veins in time, thus accumulating in the body.
Try the drainage foods recommended by the editorial team. They are cooked with ingredients that promote diuresis, are low in oil and fat, and can also reduce swelling. If you are troubled by edema, you definitely can't miss them!
Below are 10 of the best diuretic foods that can not only help you eliminate dampness from your body and slim your lower body, but more importantly, they are all nutritious and have excellent health benefits!
winter melon
Why can it reduce edema? Both the flesh and the seeds of winter melon have the function of promoting diuresis and reducing edema. People with lower body edema can drink more water boiled with winter melon seeds.
How you should eat it: Winter melon can nourish the stomach, promote urination, clear heat, and quench thirst. It contains very little sodium but is very high in vitamin C. When you've been running around outside all day, losing a lot of sweat and feeling exhausted, you can cook some winter melon and clam soup to drink to replenish your fluids.
bamboo shoots
Why can bamboo shoots reduce edema? Bamboo shoots are a high-fiber food that easily makes people feel full, promotes intestinal peristalsis, facilitates bowel movements, prevents constipation, flattens the abdomen, and is very low in calories, so you won't gain weight even if you eat a lot.
How you should eat it: You can eat bamboo shoots at any time, but you should be careful not to cut them into large pieces when cooking. Cut them into strips or slices first to break the fibers so as not to hurt your stomach.
lemon
Why can lemons reduce water retention? Lemons can promote the metabolism of subcutaneous fat, making them a great fruit for people who are overweight or have a large waistline. However, they must be eaten with the peel on to maximize their benefits.
How you should eat it: Squeeze the lemon juice and dilute it with 4 to 5 times the amount of cold boiled water. If you are afraid of sourness, you can add some honey. Drinking a cup after meals can help you cut through the grease and reduce oiliness.
watermelon
Calories: 25 kcal/100g; Fiber: 0.3g/100g; Potassium: 100mg/100g
Why can watermelon reduce edema? Traditional Chinese medicine believes that watermelon rind is sweet and cool in nature, rich in vitamin C, and can promote urination, lower blood lipid and cholesterol levels, thus eliminating obesity caused by edema. However, watermelon is high in sugar, so those who want to lose weight should not eat too much at once.
How you should eat it: Traditional Chinese medicine believes that watermelon is best eaten before 4:00 PM, because the body absorbs watermelon very well when the weather is hot, and it is not easily absorbed after dusk. Eating too much watermelon when you are too full can cause indigestion, bloating, and discomfort.
Job's tears
Calories: 381 kcal/100g; Fiber: 0.6g/100g; Potassium: 291 mg/100g
Why can it reduce edema? Job's tears are great for reducing water retention, but they are also high in calories. 100 grams of Job's tears contain 381 kilocalories. If consumed without restraint, it can easily lead to weight gain.
How you should eat it: Job's tears can strengthen the stomach and intestines. A bowl of mung bean and Job's tears soup after meals can help with digestion.