Diuretics are medicines that help the kidneys function and the process of filtering and reabsorbing water and salts in the body.
You’ve certainly heard about teas and remedies to get rid of swelling, right? These medications are what we call diuretics, which increase the amount of urine in the body, in order to eliminate sodium. In fact, beer is a diuretic. You’ve probably already noticed that when you drink beer, you immediately want to pee, that’s why. But in the case of beer, it only has a diuretic action, it is not a diuretic medicine.
Diuretic medicines are used to treat some diseases, such as hypertension and kidney and heart failure. This is because these medicines act on the functioning of the kidneys, influencing the process of filtration and reabsorption of water and salts. In this way, the amount of urine produced by the body increases, and by intensifying urinary flow, diuretics help eliminate sodium, the main cause of these diseases.
In addition, diuretics are also indicated to reduce fluid retention, the famous body swelling. Therefore, today we will learn more about these remedies, as well as some natural diuretics.
Diuretics
There are different types of diuretics, which act in different areas of the kidneys, to facilitate the elimination of specific salts. An example of this is uric acid, which can accumulate in the body and can cause various joint inflammations, such as gout and arthritis.
Many diuretics have natural active ingredients and are used to combat fluid retention, consequently deflating the body. This is why diuretics are often linked to the weight loss process. However, despite reducing swelling, these remedies do not burn fat. What happens is that water also weighs, so weight reduction is expected. But not exactly fat loss.
However, although diuretics are medicines used to treat diseases, they also have side effects. One of the main ones is dehydration, so when you are using a diuretic medicine, it is important to increase your water intake. Because the body will eliminate a lot of liquid and toxins, and needs to stay hydrated.
But in addition, frequent use of diuretic medications can result in the loss of potassium, causing cramps, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Not to mention dizziness and decreased blood volume. Therefore, before starting to use a diuretic, it is important to consult a doctor.
Restrictions on the use of diuretics
Although many diuretics are natural, their use is restricted to some people. For example, they are not recommended for people who have hypertension and are already taking medication to control their blood pressure or people who have any heart or kidney changes. In these cases, the use of these medications may end up harming your health. Furthermore, diuretics are contraindicated for pregnant women and during breastfeeding.
When to use diuretics
Knowing all this, it is important to emphasize that these remedies should only be used under professional guidance. Diuretics are indicated to treat some specific conditions. Such as:
- Excess liquid: diuretics are recommended to eliminate excess fluid from the body, especially during PMS, or after a day of overeating;
- Regulate blood pressure: As diuretics reduce excess water in the body, this makes it easier for blood to pass through the arteries. In other words, helping to regulate blood pressure.
- Fight cellulite: That’s right, as one of the main factors of cellulite is fluid retention, the use of diuretics can reduce cellulite.
- Urinary tract infection treatment: when urinating, more bacteria from the urethra are eliminated, thus preventing and even treating possible infections.
- Body swelling: Diuretics help reduce swelling and improve the feeling of tired or heavy legs due to varicose veins. They may also be indicated to treat swelling after some type of surgery.
A tip to further enhance the action of the diuretic medicine is to practice some physical activity after ingestion. This way, muscle contraction will stimulate blood circulation, taking more water to the kidneys and facilitating its elimination.
Natural diuretics
Natural diuretics are quite common remedies and can be found in any pharmacy. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular ones:
- Asian spark: This plant acts as an anti-inflammatory and blood circulation stimulant and can be found in capsules. It is recommended to take 1 or 2 capsules before the main meals of the day.
- T_Sek: is a food supplement with diuretic action, highly recommended for reducing swelling and fluid retention. With pineapple, hibiscus, mate tea, white tea, green tea, collagen and lemongrass. It can be taken at any time of the day, diluting a sachet in a glass with 400 ml of water.
- Excel: It is a powerful herbal diuretic, it contains green tea and guarana seed extract. You can take up to 4 capsules during the day.
- Drenative: with green coffee and pineapple extract, it has thermogenic and diuretic action. The ideal is to take one capsule daily.
- Carqueja: It can be found alone or in versions combined with other herbs with draining and antioxidant action. Ideal for purifying the body and eliminating toxins from the blood. The ideal is to take 2 capsules per day.
- Horsetail: With diuretic and anti-inflammatory action, horsetail helps in the weight loss process. Recommending to take two capsules daily.
- Hibiscus: With excellent antioxidant action, hibiscus is very effective in eliminating liquids accumulated in the body. Recommended to take 500 mg twice a day.
- Dandelion: In addition to helping to reduce swelling, dandelion also helps prevent urinary tract infections. Recommending to take 1 to 3 capsules per day.
- Sacred Shell: It has diuretic, stimulant and laxative action. Take a maximum of two capsules per day.
- Green tea: vKnown for several purposes, green tea is also a great diuretic. Take one capsule before main meals.
Diuretic foods
In addition to diuretic medications, some foods also have a diuretic action and help eliminate excess fluid from the body. Some fruits and vegetables stimulate the kidneys to release sodium in the urine, cleansing the body of toxins, in addition to improving the functioning of the organ. Check out some diuretic foods below:
- Watermelon: The fruit has 92% water content, high levels of potassium, and several diuretic properties. Furthermore, watermelon has the amino acid citrulline, which soothes blood vessels and prevents the infiltration of liquids into the tissue, which reduces water retention.
- Beet: Rich in potassium, beetroot is great for eliminating fluids, as well as being a great anti-inflammatory.
- Cabbage: It is known for its diuretic properties and its high fiber and water content. Purple cabbage, in turn, in addition to diuretic properties, also contains anthocyanins, which make it a great anti-inflammatory.
- Aipo: ideal for the treatment of gout, precisely because the phthalides in celery have a diuretic effect, and are highly effective in eliminating uric acid from the body.
- Cucumber: A source of water and potassium, cucumbers are low in sodium, which inhibits the production of nitric acid, which considerably reduces swelling. Furthermore, because it contains sulfur and silicon, cucumber helps with kidney function and the elimination of uric acid.
- Garlic: In addition to being an effective antioxidant, garlic also has diuretic properties.
- Salsa: Used as tea or juice, parsley is a great option for treating water retention. In this way, it reduces the reabsorption of sodium and potassium salts in the kidneys.
Anyway, what did you think of this article? Take the opportunity to also check out teas to reduce swelling.
Sources: Drauzio Cuidaí Desinchá Tua Saúde
Featured image: Supre Vida
Images: See Sou Fitness Elo 7 Official Farma
