Are there natural ways to lose water weight? (2024)

Can natural diuretics reduce fluid retention and help with weight loss?

Answer From Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.

Some herbs and dietary supplements may help you excrete water (diuretic) and help with sodium and water retention. Examples include dandelion, ginger, parsley, hawthorn and juniper. But proceed with caution before taking any products that have a diuretic effect.

Fluid retention can be caused by a number of medical conditions and some medications. So it's important to talk to your doctor about possible causes of fluid retention before you try to treat it yourself. Also, some herbs and supplements can worsen medical problems you have or interact with medications you take.

In theory, natural diuretics may help relieve fluid retention by making you urinate more. But there's little — if any — scientific evidence to prove that these herbs or supplements have diuretic effects, so you may not find them effective.

Whether you're hoping to lose water weight as part of a weight-loss goal or you're concerned about water retention related to menstruation, focus on eating a healthier diet, cutting back the salt in your diet, and getting plenty of exercise and activity — instead of taking diuretics.

Always let your doctor know about any dietary or herbal supplements you're considering taking.

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Sept. 21, 2022

  1. Dandelion. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Sept. 25, 2018.
  2. Ginger. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Sept. 25, 2018.
  3. Juniper. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed September 25, 2018.
  4. Parsley. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Sept. 25, 2018.
  5. Hawthorn. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Sept. 25, 2018.
  6. Black tea. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Sept. 25, 2018.
  7. Green tea. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Sept. 25, 2018.
  8. Using dietary supplements wisely. National Institutes of Health. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm. Accessed Oct. 30, 2018.
  9. AskMayoExpert. Edema. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2018.
  10. Kermott CA, et al., eds. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). In: Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies. New York, N.Y.: Time Home Entertainment; 2017.

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Are there natural ways to lose water weight? (2024)

FAQs

Are there natural ways to lose water weight? ›

Tips for getting rid of water weight include reducing sodium and carbohydrate intake, drinking more water, exercising, and taking Vitamin B-6 and magnesium oxide supplements.

How do you get rid of water weight naturally? ›

Tips for Losing Water Weight
  1. Drink More Water. You might think that putting more water into your body adds more water weight. ...
  2. Eat Hydrating Foods. ...
  3. Exercise Regularly. ...
  4. Improve Your Sleep. ...
  5. Limit Salty and Sugary Foods. ...
  6. Reduce Carbohydrates. ...
  7. Reduce Stress Levels. ...
  8. Take Electrolytes.
Nov 28, 2023

How long does it take to naturally lose water weight? ›

The length of time that it takes to lose water weight depends on how much water you're retaining, the cause of the water weight gain, and the action taken to lose it. If you have one high-sodium meal and then return to normal, healthy dietary habits, you'll likely return to your normal weight in 1-2 days.

What can I drink to flush out water weight? ›

Caffeine and beverages that contain caffeine like coffee and tea may help you lose water weight. Caffeine may have a diuretic effect and increase short-term urine output . This could increase the amount of water that leaves your body, therefore decreasing water weight.

How to get rid of water retention in the stomach? ›

Some of the tips provided in the article include:
  1. Drink water, cut out alcohol & caffeine. ...
  2. Eat Enough Potassium-rich foods. ...
  3. Avoid Salty Foods. ...
  4. Cut Down on Carbs. ...
  5. Say No to Fried Foods but Yes to Omega-3. ...
  6. Eat Plenty of Fiber. ...
  7. Grab a Few Watermelons. ...
  8. Eat all the citrus fruits — & ginger.

Is it belly fat or water retention? ›

You can do a simple test to see whether you are carrying water or fat weight. Just press your index finger into the fat on the back of your hand. If it leaves an impression, then you are looking at water weight. But, if it's fat weight, the skin will bounce back to its original state with no mark left on the skin.

What is the most powerful natural diuretic? ›

The 6 Best Natural Diuretics
  1. Coffee. Many people can attest their morning cup of joe often sends them to pee frequently—and caffeine is the culprit. ...
  2. Tea. Another popular caffeinated beverage, tea, is chock-full of antioxidants and a regular addition to many people's daily routines. ...
  3. Watermelon. ...
  4. Celery. ...
  5. Coconut Water. ...
  6. Parsley.
Jul 7, 2023

What are the worst foods for water retention? ›

Processed, high-salt, high-fat, high-sugar foods and certain dairy products can make oedema worse. What foods to avoid for fluid retention? Avoid high-sodium foods, processed foods, unhealthy fats, and high-sugar beverages to avoid fluid retention.

How do I know if it's water weight? ›

One way to find out if you are retaining water is by gently pressing the foot, ankle or calf with slow, steady pressure using the thumb. If edema is present, an indentation will show on the skin. Fat cells are more spring-like in nature so the skin bounces back quickly. Do you feel bloated after eating certain foods?

How many pounds is water weight? ›

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), on average, water makes up 60% of an adult's body weight. One study suggests total body water can fluctuate by up to 5% daily. Anecdotal evidence suggests water weight can make a person's weight fluctuate by as much as 1–5 pounds in a single day.

How to lose 4 pounds of water weight overnight? ›

4 ways to lose water weight immediately
  1. Drink more water. It might be a little difficult to believe but drinking more water can actually help you shed water weight. ...
  2. Reduce intake of salt. Too much salt or sodium in your diet may be contributing to water retention. ...
  3. Consume fewer carbs. ...
  4. Exercise.
Jun 5, 2019

Why is my body holding onto weight? ›

1. Your Metabolism Will Slow Down to Store Fat. The more you work out or manage your calorie intake to lose weight, the more your metabolism wants to compensate by slowing down to maintain your current weight, this is called metabolic compensation. It kicks in to preserve and store fat for future energy.

Is there a pill to lose water weight? ›

Choosing Diuretics

These pills increase stamina, help you lose weight and let you shed any excess water weight. Herbal water pill supplements typically contain natural ingredients, including green tea. You can also find traditional water pills that only help you remove water weight.

Does caffeine cause water retention? ›

It may sound counter-intuitive, but dehydration makes your body hold on to excess water, thereby increasing water retention. Coffee can make a quick difference in the short term because it is a diuretic, but excessive caffeine intake is known to increase water retention, as is alcohol, so avoid over-indulging.

What drinks are natural diuretics? ›

Green and black tea

Every time you enjoy a hot cup of tea, you may be flushing excess fluid from your system. Both green and black teas have shown potential as natural diuretics.

How to drain edema fluid naturally? ›

Lifestyle and home remedies
  1. Use pressure. If edema affects an arm or leg, wearing compression stockings, sleeves or gloves might help. ...
  2. Move. Moving and using the muscles in the part of the body that's swollen, especially the legs, might help move fluid back toward the heart. ...
  3. Raise. ...
  4. Massage. ...
  5. Protect. ...
  6. Reduce salt.
Jul 28, 2023

What is the best drink for water retention? ›

Teas that contain natural diuretic properties include:
  1. Green tea. Green tea is rich in caffeine, which is a substance that has natural diuretic properties. ...
  2. Parsley tea. ...
  3. Dandelion tea. ...
  4. Horsetail tea. ...
  5. Hibiscus tea. ...
  6. Fennel tea. ...
  7. Linden tea. ...
  8. Espinheira santa tea.
Oct 30, 2023

What to eat to reduce water retention? ›

Potassium-rich fruit, especially bananas, watermelons and peaches, can help lower sodium levels, decreasing water retention. Drink more water. Drinking more water to stop retaining water might sound like counterintuitive advice, but it is easier for the body to flush out excess salt and waste when hydrated.

How much weight will I lose on a 3 day water fast? ›

We watched hundreds of videos on 3 day water fasts and people reported losing between 4.5 lbs to 12 lbs on their fast. This depends on a lot of factors including starting weight and height. The three-day water fast can be a powerful tool for natural healing, weight loss, and overall well-being.

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