Diets high in fiber have been proven to provide many benefits. In addition to facilitating weight loss, high fiber diets are often the solution to common health problems as well. Among other health problems, one issue that can be eased by consuming more fiber is water retention, or edema. Fiber diets have been shown to play a direct role in controlling water retention.
Water retention, or edema, is an abnormal amount of fluid found under the skin. Water retention is not itself a condition, it is a symptom of what could be many conditions. Water retention could occur for many different reasons, some of them more serious than others.
Dehydration is one cause of water retention. Your body excretes less water when you are dehydrated, which means that you could become bloated. Constipation is another cause of water retention. Infrequent bowel movements can cause your body to absorb poison from partially digested foods; to dilute these poisons, the body often retains excess fluid. Something else that could be causing water retention is an excess intake of dietary sodium. Finally, there are more serious conditions that could be the cause of water retention, such as kidney, liver, and heart failure.
Many of the conditions related to water retention are related to your diet, so the first thing to do if you are experiencing water retention is to make changes to your diet. One of the things you could do is to consume less sodium. Another possible dietary solution is to increase the amount of fiber that you consume.
One of the major reasons for water retention is constipation – in fact, it is the most common reason for water retention. Because fiber is known to reduce constipation, fiber diets and water retention often go hand in hand. You should investigate different fiber diets before choosing one that will reduce water retention, but typically people choose to consume a greater amount of fiber.
If you want to find a fiber diet to reduce your water retention, then you have many options available. You could simply consume more of the many delicious fruits, vegetables, and grains that are high in fiber. Another option would be to take fiber supplements, which provide similar nutritional benefits.
Fiber diets can be the solution to numerous health problems, but it is important to consult your doctor if your health has not improved after making these dietary changes. Your doctor can provide you with a diagnosis and treatment.
Terry Roberts is a professional translator and linguist, with a wide range of interests. To read more about fiber diets, visit his web pages in English, Your Fiber Diet [http://www.yourfiberdiet.com/], or in Spanish, Dietas Ricas en Fibra [http://www.dietasricasenfibra.com/].
