Diuretics are cleansing agents that flush excess fluid from your body. They accomplish this by fielding more sodium into your urine, which attracts water away from tissues and cells and into the bladder. While modern medicine offers up pharmaceutical diuretics, there are plenty of delicious fruits, vegetables and other foods that can reverse water retention as well.
48 Foods that Pack a Diuretic Punch
Be sure to let your physician know if you are experiencing problems with water retention; while the following foods can help reduce water retention, you want to make sure there is no underlying medical reason for excess fluid in your body.
Popular Vegetables
Green, watery vegetables are among the most potently diuretic, because of their water, fiber and mineral content. Many are high in potassium and magnesium, both of which counteract sodium. Artichokes, cucumbers, garlic and onion are rich in sulfur which stimulates the kidneys.
These vegetables are all great choices for a diuretic effect:
- Celery
- Cucumbers
- Asparagus (This delicate, classic stalk vegetable makes urine fragrant and more plentiful.)
- Artichokes
- Lettuce
- Fennel
- Beets
- Tomatoes (actually a fruit)
- Carrots
- Onions and garlic
- Pumpkin (These nutritional powerhouses fight both constipation and water bloat.)
- Eggplant (Some people have trouble digesting them, so start sparingly.)
