Natural Diuretic Foods

What is a Diuretic?

A diuretic is simply a kind of anti-hypertensive substance that aids in the removal of excess amount of water, sodium, and electrolytes from the body via urination. Excess water retention in the body may lead to a number of disorders like liver, kidney, and heart related ailments. Here comes the importance of diuretics. Diuretics are available in a variety of forms such as medications, natural diuretics, and herbal remedies. No matter it is which type of diuretic, each of them works in such a way to minimize the amount of water as well as salt re-absorbed by kidneys. This in turn leads to flushing out of increased amount of water and salt, along with other wastes, through urine. In other words, its working is a process in which you are prompted to pass more urine, thereby losing more fluid from the blood vessels. Eventually, the result is that as a whole, the volume of blood is minimized, and hence your heart needs to work less. However, each diuretic has its own unique features, and therefore works in different ways.  

Due to this feature, they are used to treat a variety of such disorders as high blood pressure, polycystic ovarian disease, diabetes insipidus, hypertension, hirsutism occurring in females, lymphatic swelling, congestive heart disorders, arterial hypertension, edema, sciatica, PMS, osteoporosis, and some kinds of kidney disorders.

Now we will discuss some of the most popular forms of diuretics. Medicated diuretics come in a continuum of forms such as tablets, also known as water pills, and injections, all of which fall into any of the three types of categories like Loop Diuretics, Potassium Sparing, and Thiazide diuretics. Loop Diuretics are a kind of medicated diuretic that are considered powerful to treat heart disorders, high blood pressure, and pulmonary oedema.  This functions in such a way to produce more urine rather than leading kidneys to re-absorb more salt and water. Bumetanide, Furosemide, and Ethacrynic, are some of the prime examples of Loop Diuretics.

Keeping in mind the importance of potassium for well-functioning of heart and to control blood pressure, Potassium-sparing diuretics works in a balanced way, i.e., even though it prompts for increased excretion of water through urine, it tries to retain the sufficient amount of salt and potassium within the kidneys. Among the prime examples of this type of medicated diuretics are Amiloride, Spironolactone, and Triamterene. However, for best results, it is combined with Thiazide and loop diuretics.

When comes to Thiazide diuretics, its functioning is more or less like Loop Diuretics, but with the exception that it is a milder dose, and is mostly recommended for people with slight high blood pressure and arterial hypertension. Significant of Thiazide diuretics are Chlorthalidone, Hydrochlorothiazide, Indapamide, and Metolazone. Whether it is any category of medicated diuretics, it is strictly recommended to take as per the instructions of an experienced, registered medical practitioner.

Side Effects of Diuretics

In the case of herbal diuretics, it is regarded as a safe, healthier alternative over medicated diuretics, which in most cases contain some side effects. Prominent among the diuretics herbs are Buchu and Taraxacum officinale. Both of them are considered effective for water retention and treating high blood pressure. However, it is advisable to take these herbal remedies in a moderate way.

Despite any other sources of diuretics, perhaps the best is natural diuretic or foods rich in diuretics. In order to get best results, it is important that you intake healthy natural diuretics containing in fruits and vegetables. Likewise, avoid the usage of unhealthy diuretics including caffeine and alcohol.

Let it be of any kind, the usage of a diuretic renders benefits such as minimizing the risk of brain attack, reducing the risk of heart disorders, and prevention of blood clots. However, its increased usage is mostly associated with a range of side effects including weight loss and fatigue, depression, decreased sexual drive, and irritability.

A list of Foods that are Natural Diuretics

A safe option to treat conditions such as liver and kidney-related problems - Natural diuretics is foods that are capable to release excess fluids from the body.

• Cranberry Juice, which aids in maintaining the urine’s pH level, thereby allowing for improved functioning of kidneys.
• Melon - rich in water, potassium and sodium – is effective in elimination of toxins.
• Juniper Berries, with agents such as terpinen-4-ol as well as volatile oils, helps to remove body’s excessive fluids via improving glomerular filtration of kidneys.
• Lettuce, which contains in it agents to enhance metabolism rate.
• Dandelion, rich in potassium and mineral contents, is a natural diuretic helpful for retaining potassium.
• Brussels Sprouts, inclusive of properties to cleanse tissues and cells in the body via stimulation of pancreas and kidneys.
• Oats, with high level of Silica, aids to release excess fluids from the body.
• Garlic, rich in mustard oils, is an excellent natural diuretic with cleansing properties.
• Asparagus is an effective natural diuretic that aids for excretion of toxics from the body.
• Tomatoes, with high level of Vitamin C, promotes for enhanced metabolism.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon juice is a natural diuretic.

A range of other foods are also considered natural diuretics, such as, carrots, cabbage, watercress, and beets. Apart from reducing the symptoms of PMS, natural diuretic is also an excellent way to shed unwanted fat. Even though it provides a number of benefits, it is important that you intake natural diuretic in a balanced way, as its excess consumption may sometimes lead to increased excretion of essential nutrients and minerals.  

Natural Diuretics: A Video Explanation