Feeling bloated? You could be retaining fluid! 

Fluid retention occurs when fluid leaks out of the blood vessels or lymphatic system and accumulates in the surrounding tissue. Have you been feeling bloated lately? You could be retaining fluid.

Reading time: 5 minutes.

When we are retaining fluids our body feels bloated and heavy. The legs are particularly affected, as are the feet and ankles. However, the hands, fingers, face and stomach can also be affected by water retention. 

So how can you determine if this is the cause of your swelling?

Easy: press your finger on the swollen area for a few seconds. If there is a visible dent left, which only slowly recedes, then it is fluid retention. There are many reasons why this phenomenon occurs. These are the most common causes:

1. Water retention due to predisposition: on the one hand, sometimes our genes are to blame, on the other hand, our lifestyle could be causing the swelling. If we stand or sit a lot, for example, the blood in the body sinks into the legs, which creates increased pressure and water flows out of the vessels into the tissue.

2. Water in the legs due to heat: many people suffer from swelling during the summer. The reason: when it is hot, the blood vessels dilate to better dissipate the heat from our body. This allows water to enter the surrounding tissue unhindered.

3. Hormonal changes in women: another reason for fluid retention is the female menstrual cycle or pregnancy. Swelling usually occurs before and during the period and during pregnancy.

4. Consumption of certain medications: certain medications, such as antidepressants, anti-inflammatory drugs or medications for high blood pressure and diabetes are among the most common triggers for fluid retention.

5. Diseases: In addition, bloating may be related to serious diseases such as cancer, liver and kidney disease, hypothyroidism or heart disease. Therefore, to rule out diseases, it is essential to consult your doctor, especially in the case of severe and long-lasting symptoms.

There are some tips and tricks you can use to drain your body quickly and easily:

1. Consume foods rich in potassium such as dried fruits, bananas, melons, potatoes, quinoa and avocados.
2. Massage the affected area. Lymphatic drainage can help anyone struggling with fluid retention. 
3. Apple cider vinegar.  Apple cider vinegar is rich in potassium, has an anti-inflammatory effect and therefore reduces pain and swelling. It is best to mix one or two teaspoons of raw apple cider vinegar in a glass of water twice a day and drink in small sips. 
4. Drink herbal teas or consume natural supplements. Certain herbal teas and natural formulas with draining and diuretic effects can be found in most drugstores and pharmacies. They help eliminate excess fluid from the body and activate lymphatic flow. Nettle, peppermint, birch leaf or green tea are particularly good. Our advice: take a Boldo-based supplement. 
5. Drink plenty of water. Drink water to eliminate water from the tissues? It sounds paradoxical, but it really helps! To quickly get rid of swelling in the legs, you must be sure to drink enough fluids. It should be two to three liters of water a day; in summer, it can even be a little more.

Finally, an extra tip: to reduce swelling, in addition to a number of other benefits for your health, reduce your intake of alcohol, salt and sugar.