10 Natural Diuretics
Our kidneys have the job of filtering toxins and impurities from our blood. This causes them to produce a liquid known as urine, which is then passed from the body several times a day. If the kidneys are not producing urine as much as they should, however, it can cause fluid retention in the body.
Fluid retention can be quite uncomfortable while it can also be hazardous to our health. One solution to this problem is the use of diuretics, which encourage the kidneys to start producing urine.
Many diuretics are available from your pharmacy, while there are also some natural alternatives that you can try.
Diuretic #1: Grapes
Grapes are often considered to be quite a luxury. There was a time when they would have been out of reach financially for the average person. Thankfully, modern farming methods have made them more common and they are now affordable to most of us.
Not only are they delicious but they are also very nutritious, and they are also a natural diuretic. Grapes are a very good source of potassium and this can help encourage the kidneys to produce urine. Enjoy them just a few times a week and you can help to maintain the natural balance of fluids in your body.
Diuretic #2: Coffee
Coffee is among the most popular beverages in the world. It is often used as a perk in the mornings while many people will enjoy it throughout the day. In addition to the caffeine backed boost it provides, coffee also tastes great and smells amazing.
Coffee is also a very effective natural diuretic, largely because of the caffeine it contains. One cup is unlikely to do it, though, and it can take 3–4 cups before you are heading to the bathroom. People are also likely to build up a resilience to it, so regular drinkers will need to drink more for it to work as a diuretic.
Diuretic #3: Watermelon
There’s nothing quite like a refreshing watermelon snack on a hot summer’s day. Made of 92% water, this fruit is very, very juicy and can help to satiate thirst. While you would expect such as watery snack to send you to the bathroom, the high water content is not the only thing that makes watermelon a diuretic.
Watermelons also contain various minerals and natural sugars that help to stimulate the kidneys into producing more urine. While it is delicious eating just as it is after cutting it open, it can also be blended to make a delicious and refreshing smoothie. You could also try adding it to a salad.
Diuretic #4: Dandelions
Dandelions are small flowering plants that most people see as a weed that needs to be removed from the lawn. What a lot of people don’t realize though is that dandelions are actually used a great deal in medicine. Part of its popularity is down to its diuretic characteristics.
Dandelions are very rich in potassium. This helps to counter the high sodium content of many modern diets and also helps to encourage the kidneys to produce more urine. Some people like to use dandelion to make tea, while you will be able to find plenty of dandelion supplements and remedies in pharmacies.
Diuretic #5: Alcohol
Most people that enjoy a drink from time to time will be able to tell you that it has a habit of sending you to the bathroom regularly. This is partly because you are consuming higher than usual volumes of liquid, while it is also down to the diuretic effects of alcohol itself.
Bear in mind, of course, that while alcohol can be a lot of fun, it is not without its risks. Consume it in moderation, though, and you should be just fine. Not only could it help you to pass water, but it can also help to give you a great time.
Diuretic #6: Celery
Celery is often found in salads. It is also sometimes eaten with a dip instead of less healthy alternatives such as fries and chips. It is popular in healthy weight loss diets because it is low in calories and also filling. In addition to being healthy and having a low-calorie count, it is also an effective diuretic.
Celery has a high water content, for starters. It also contains a chemical known as butylphthalide, which has been shown to be able to encourage the kidneys to increase urine production. Celery has also been shown to be able to help regulate blood pressure as well as having other health benefits.
Diuretic #7: Parsley
Parsley is used worldwide as a garnish and also as an herb to add some flavor to dishes. It has also been used for its medicinal properties for as long as we can remember and is still found in some natural remedies today. For hundreds of years, at least, it has also been used as a natural diuretic.
In the past, parsley was often brewed up as a tea specifically for its diuretic properties. Studies in rats have also shown that it is effective at increasing urine production. More research needs to be undertaken, however, to confirm its effects on human beings.
Diuretic #8: Horsetail
Horsetail is an ancient species of plant and considered by many to be a living fossil. It is now the only remaining member of the Equisetum genus that once dominated the world. It is common in many parts of the world and Antarctica is the only continent where it cannot be found.
In addition to being widespread, it can also be very useful as many people think it is an effective natural diuretic. It is usually taken as a capsule, although it is often also made as a tea. It is not recommended to use it regularly as prolonged use may cause some health problems.
Diuretic #9: Caraway
Caraway is a fairly common plant that is found in Western Asia, Europe, and much of North Africa. It has a feathery appearance and is also known as Persian cumin or meridian fennel. Its flavor means that it is often used as a spice, usually in baked foods.
Caraway has long been used as a medicine where it grows naturally and, more recently, its use has become more international. In addition to being used for digestive problems, caraway is also often used as a diuretic. More research is needed to let us unlock the medicinal properties that caraway has to offer.
Diuretic #10: Tea
The tea plant originated from China where it has been used to make the beverage for thousands of years. Since then, it has been exported to the rest of the world where it has become one of the most popular beverages around. Not only is it delicious and able to give us a boost, but it is also an effective diuretic.
Tea’s diuretic properties are largely down to its caffeine content. Green and black tea are thought to be the most effective, and studies in rats have shown that it is able to encourage urine production. However, it can be less effective when you drink it regularly.
