Add lemon to a glass of water to help stave off high blood pressure. You can also consider ways of incorporating it into your food – don’t worry, we’re not going to instruct you to eat lemon wedges!
2. Oats
Eat a bowl of oatmeal at the start of your day to help reduce your cholesterol levels and prevent your body from retaining water. Oats are often highly recommended to those seeking to lose weight.
3. Celery
Celery is a fantastic vegetable for hydrating the body. What’s more is that it packs a powerful nutritional punch. Try making a diuretic smoothie containing celery and other fruits and vegetables found in this post.
4. Brussels Sprouts
While they’re not the best-tasting thing in the world, Brussels sprouts are incredibly good for you. They are most definitely an acquired taste, but eating them is worth it because they’re full of antioxidants. Try incorporating them into your main dish rather than eating them by themselves.
5. Ginger
You can reap the diuretic benefits of ginger by using it to give your meal added zest, or by adding some ginger root to a glass of drinking water. Ginger’s cleansing effect on the body means that it’s ideal for individuals who happen to be on a detox program. Its diuretic properties also mean that it can help alleviate excess water retention.
Further to their diuretic properties, beets are also extremely rich in antioxidants such as betalain, which is only found in a few select foods. Always choose fresh beets from your local grocery store or farmer’s market over pickled ones. You can try eating them grilled, boiled or steamed.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
The numerous health benefits of consuming apple cider vinegar have been touted many a time, however it’s worth mentioning that it’s fantastic for helping the body purge itself of unneeded fluids, which results in improved urinary function and better overall health. The best way to ingest it to benefit from its diuretic properties is to add it to water and drink it.
8. Cabbage
This vegetable cannot be called anything other than healthy – it can help prevent cancer and reduce the risk of heart disease in addition to being a diuretic food. Try eating chopped or shredded cabbage in a soup. Don’t add a lot of salt however, because doing so will reduce its diuretic properties.
9. Cranberry Juice
Urinary tract infections can be eased with cranberry juice due to its diuretic properties. It leaves your potassium levels intact when doing so, while also providing extra antioxidants to help your body in its fight against free radicals. Go for organic cranberry juice if you want to reap the greatest health benefits.
10. Eggplant
Some weight loss enthusiasts enjoy making special “eggplant water”, which is created by boiling eggplants and drinking the leftover water. If you don’t fancy doing something that’s a little excessive, you can always add it as a side dish to just about any meal.
11. Parsley
The old adage goes “big things come in small packages”, and it definitely applies to parsley, which is full of antioxidants. You can try adding it to a glass of water for a fresh taste, or add it more prominently to your cooking.
12. Caffeinated Beverages
Tea, coffee and energy drinks – basically any drink that contains caffeine – have a diuretic effect. This doesn’t mean to say you should go on a caffeinated drink binge, because caffeine also has its disadvantages with regard to your body.
13. Water
It may seem counter-intuitive at first glance, but drinking water can actually help rid your body of excess fluid. Similarly, not drinking enough water can make your body try to retain the water it’s already storing. As aforementioned, try squeezing a lemon into a glass of water, or adding slices of ginger into it.
14. Tomatoes
The best way of reaping the diuretic benefits of tomatoes is to eat them raw. Enjoy them in a salad, or blend them into juice. If tomato juice isn’t really your thing, adding carrots or watermelon to increase the diuretic effect and improve the flavor might be the way to go. Furthermore, tomatoes are one of the healthiest foods you can eat due to their anti-oxidizing and cancer-preventing properties.
15. Cucumber
Seeing as it’s primarily made up of water and is very hydrating, cucumber is often found in detox recipes. Consuming it helps with urinary system function, diabetes and weight loss. Its anti-oxidizing properties and high mineral content make it ideal for ensuring that your body is functioning at its best.
16. Watermelon
Eating watermelon may increase the number of bathroom visits you make, but it’ll be worth it because it’s fantastic at flushing your body of excessive water and salt. Be careful not to eat too much of it in one sitting, because doing so can cause your blood glucose levels to spike, thus negating its healthy effects.
17. Carrots
Most often thought of as being great for eyesight, carrots also offer a whole host of other health benefits, namely being a natural diuretic. Seeing as they come in a range of varieties, there are a number of different ways in which you can enjoy eating carrots. Baby carrots make a great healthy snack by themselves, as well as a tasty addition to a salad. On the other hand, regular carrots can be sliced or chopped and added to your next recipe. They also make a tasty side dish.
18. Garlic
Garlic cleanses your body and is also a diuretic. What’s more is that you only have to eat it in small amounts for it to have an effect. Simply add it to your meal during the cooking process to benefit.
19. Artichokes
In some instances, artichokes can actually rival the effects of prescription medication thanks to their powerful diuretic effect. They’re also great for your digestive system, so try incorporating them into your diet if you’re looking to lose weight. This is without mentioning how chock-full they are of vitamins and minerals.
20. Asparagus
This vegetable is truly one of the healthiest out there. In addition to its diuretic effects, asparagus is also packed with nutrients and antioxidants. You can try eating it steamed, grilled or oven-roasted.
But that's not all, if you still hunger for more articles on the subject, we have more:
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These Smoothies Will Help You Lose Weight