Water retention occurs when excess fluids build up inside your body.

It is also known as fluid retention or edema.

Water retention occurs in the circulatory system or within tissues and cavities. It can cause swelling in the hands, feet, ankles, and legs.

There are several reasons why it happens, many of which are not serious.

Some women experience water retention during pregnancy or before their monthly period.

People who are physically inactive, such as when bedridden or sitting through long flights, may also be affected.

However, water retention can also be a symptom of a severe medical condition like kidney disease or heart failure. If you’re experiencing sudden or severe water retention, seek medical attention immediately.

Yet, in cases where the swelling is mild and there is no underlying health condition, you may be able to reduce water retention with a few simple tricks.

Here are 6 ways to reduce water retention.

1. Eat Less Salt

Salt is made of sodium and chloride.

Sodium binds to water in the body and helps maintain the balance of fluids both inside and outside of cells.

If you often eat meals that are high in salt, such as many processed foods, your body may retain water. In fact, these foods are the biggest dietary source of sodium.

The most common advice for reducing water retention is to decrease sodium intake. However, the evidence behind this is mixed.

Several studies have found that increased sodium intake leads to increased retention of fluid inside the body (1, 2, 3, 4).

On the other hand, one study in healthy men did not find the same effect, so results may depend on the individual (5).

Summary: Sodium can bind to water in the body, and decreasing your salt intake may help reduce water retention.

2. Increase Your Magnesium Intake

Magnesium is a very important mineral.

In fact, it is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions that keep the body functioning.

Moreover, increasing your magnesium intake may help reduce water retention.

One study found that 200 mg of magnesium per day reduced water retention in women with premenstrual symptoms (PMS) (6).

Other studies in women with PMS have reported similar results (7, 8).

Good sources of magnesium include nuts, whole grains, dark chocolate, and leafy, green vegetables. It’s also available as a supplement. You can find magnesium supplements at your local drugstore or online.

Summary: Magnesium has been shown to be effective in reducing water retention, at least for women with premenstrual symptoms.

3. Increase Vitamin B6 Intake

Vitamin B6 is a group of several related vitamins.

They are important for the formation of red blood cells and serve many other functions in the body.

Vitamin B6 has been shown to reduce water retention in women with premenstrual syndrome (8).

Foods rich in vitamin B6 include bananas, potatoes, walnuts, and meat.

You can also purchase vitamin B6 supplements at your local drugstore or online.

Summary: Vitamin B6 may help reduce water retention, especially in women with premenstrual syndrome.

4. Eat More Potassium-Rich Foods

Potassium is a mineral that serves several important functions.

For example, it helps send the electrical signals that keep the body running. It may also benefit heart health (9).

Potassium appears to help reduce water retention in two ways, by decreasing sodium levels and increasing urine production (10).

Bananas, avocados, and tomatoes are examples of foods that are high in potassium.

For a longer list, check out 15 Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a Banana.

Summary: Potassium may reduce water retention by increasing the production of urine and decreasing the amount of sodium in your body.

5. Try Taking Dandelion

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is an herb that has been used as a natural diuretic in folk medicine for a long time (11).

Natural diuretics may help reduce water retention by making you pee more often.

In one study, 17 volunteers took three doses of dandelion leaf extract over a 24-hour period.

They monitored their fluid intake and output during the following days and reported a significant increase in the amount of urine produced (12).

Though this was a small study with no control group, the results indicate that dandelion extract may be an effective diuretic.

What’s more, studies suggest that dandelion may have many other potential benefits.
Find dandelion extract online.

Summary: Dandelion may help reduce water retention, especially when consumed as a leaf extract.

6. Avoid Refined Carbs

Eating refined carbs leads to rapid spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels.

High insulin levels cause your body to retain more sodium by increasing the reabsorption of sodium in the kidneys (13, 14).

This leads to more fluid volume inside your body.

Examples of refined carbs include processed sugars and grains, such as table sugar and white flour.

Summary: Eating refined carbs can increase insulin levels in your body, which, in turn, increases the reabsorption of sodium in the kidneys, leading to a higher fluid volume.

Other Ways to Reduce Water Retention

Reducing water retention is something that hasn’t been studied much.

However, there are a few other potentially effective ways to reduce water retention.

Keep in mind that some of these are only supported by anecdotal evidence, not studies.

Move around: Simply walking and moving around a bit can be effective in reducing fluid build-up in some areas, such as the lower limbs. Elevating your feet can also help.

Drink more water: Some believe that increasing water intake can paradoxically reduce water retention (15).

Horsetail: One study found that the horsetail herb has diuretic effects (16).

Parsley: This herb has a reputation as a diuretic in folk medicine (17).

Hibiscus: Roselle, a species of hibiscus, has been used in folk medicine as a diuretic. A recent study also supports this (18).

Garlic: Well known for its effect on the common cold, garlic has historically been used as a diuretic (19, 20).

Fennel: This plant may also have diuretic effects (21).

Corn silk: This herb is traditionally used for the treatment of water retention in some parts of the world (22).

Nettle: This is another folk remedy used to reduce water retention (23).

Cranberry juice: It has been claimed that cranberry juice can have diuretic effects.

Summary: Some other foods and methods may help reduce water retention, but their effects have not been widely studied.

The Bottom Line

Some simple dietary changes may help reduce water retention.

For starters, you can try eating less salt, for example by cutting back on processed foods.

You can also consume foods that are rich in magnesium, potassium and vitamin B6.

Taking some dandelion or avoiding refined carbs may also do the trick.

However, if water retention persists or causes a lot of problems in your life, then you may want to see a doctor.