When the cells of your body retain more water than normal, it leads to conditions such as bloating, swelling, edema and puffiness of the skin. There are numerous causes for subcutaneous water buildup with certain medications, diet, hormonal changes and illness being some of the culprits. In many cases, slight adjustments can relieve water retention, leaving you looking and feeling better.

Reduce Salt Consumption

A major cause of subcutaneous water buildup is due to consuming too much sodium. Sodium absorbs water so if you eat more than your body requires, it is stored in the cells and absorbs extra water into it which leads to puffy skin.

To correct this problem, reduce the amount of salt and sodium you consume. Processed foods usually contain high amounts of sodium so look for brands that offer “low-sodium” or “no sodium” products. Also, use more spices and herbs instead of salt when preparing meals to add flavor.

Drink a Lot of Water

Drinking more water helps your body rid itself of extra water in a couple of important ways. First of all, drinking plenty of water flushes built up sodium and other toxins from your body, causing it to perform more functionally.

Also, drinking a lot of water knocks your body out of its survival mode which can occur when you become dehydrated. It seems logical that to eliminate subcutaneous water you should drink fewer fluids. However, by drinking less water, your body thinks it’s in a drought situation and actually begins to store extra water in case it’s needed. If you drink extra water, you reverse this trend and your body will begin to eliminate excess water through urination and sweating.

Eat a Nutritious Diet

A healthy diet is important for many reasons. However, it is also vital in the process of eliminating subcutaneous water. Calcium, magnesium and potassium work to eliminate and even prevent water buildup in the body. In order to avoid water retention, it is recommended that adults should consume up to 1,000 mg of calcium, 350 mg of magnesium and 3,500 mg of potassium daily.

Take Natural Herbs

Some herbs are natural diuretics which prompt the body to eliminate extra fluids. Coffee and tea are considered diuretics as are celery seeds and dandelion root. Just be sure to drink plenty of water when taking these herbs and avoid eating salt also as it will negate any progress you might want to make.

Provoke Sweating

Sweating is a natural process whereby your body seeks to regulate its temperature. A positive benefit to sweating is that it releases excess water as well as cleanses itself of built up toxins and elements such as sodium within the skin’s cells. Participating in physical labor or exercise on a regular basis will help your body eliminate subcutaneous water. You may have noticed that sweat tastes salty at first, or leaves a salty covering on your skin. This is excess salt which your body has sweated out.