What diuretic drinks are best for draining the body?

Water retention, which is very common and affects women more than men, can be caused by a number of factors, including diet. There are a number of signs of water retention, including heavy legs, swelling of the hands, ankles and feet, abdominal discomfort and, more severely, oedema.

To combat this problem, good hydration is essential. Drinking helps to eliminate excess water from the body.

To help the body eliminate toxins and water more effectively, diuretic drinks are a very good natural solution. Which diuretic drinks should you choose to drain your body? From lemon juice to green tea, discover the choices available and select the one that's right for you so that you can increase urinary elimination.

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What is a diuretic drink?

A natural draining drink

By definition, a diuretic drink is a draining drink. It helps the kidney function effectively as an emunctory and can be a natural alternative to medication. The kidneys are one of the organs that cleanse the body, along with the liver, lungs, skin and intestines.

A draining drink is not necessarily a diuretic. It can target the liver function specifically, for example. A diuretic drink essentially takes effect on the kidneys, which are responsible for cleansing the blood by filtering it so that only the molecules needed by the body are retained.

The elimination of waste through the urine is improved by drinking diuretic active ingredients. It is generally very easy to make. You can either opt for the ready to drink option or make it yourself by simply diluting it or by following your own homemade recipe.

The antioxidants, potassium and/or magnesium provided by the drink explain its potential effects on urinary secretion and improved salt elimination.


A concentrated blend of diuretic plants

Whether you go for a diuretic herbal tea or a fresh formula, there's no shortage of alternatives. Here are a few examples of the best diuretics for their draining effects on your body:

  • Energising ingredients: coffee and green tea

  • Draining plants: dandelion, birch, elder, fennel, nettle

  • Draining herbs: rosemary, parsley, thyme

  • Diuretic foods: asparagus, cucumber, watermelon, blackcurrant, cherry stalk, lemon

Why should you drink a diuretic drink?

To combat water retention

Firstly, the human body is made up of 60% water on average. In our body, water is distributed in two ways. Inside our cells, water is found in the form of intracellular fluid. This usually accounts for two-thirds of our total body water. Then, outside our cells, it comes in the form of extracellular fluid.

The body tends to maintain the right balance between absorbed salt (which contributes to this osmolarity) and body fluids, through two mechanisms: urine and sweat. If you are suffering from water retention, this means that extra-cellular water increases, more specifically in the tissues.

Diuretic drinks will help the body to rebalance these processes by increasing the volume of urine per day. Thanks to the diuretic plants, fruit and vegetables it contains, a diuretic drink increases diuresis by stimulating your renal function.


For greater well-being and a slimmer figure

Diuretic drinks are first and foremost a solution for greater well-being and a feeling of lightness. In fact, diuretic drinks have a reputation for relieving feelings of discomfort, swelling and heavy legs.

Secondly, they can also help to shed unwanted pounds thanks to their draining effects, stimulating the metabolism and helping to tone the figure. Even though this is still a loss of water and not a loss of body fat, the reduction in excess weight is genuine and can be good for morale.

Another important point is that fluid retention is in fact the main complication of venous insufficiency, which is behind watery cellulite and lymphatic problems. In addition to an overall improvement in lifestyle, diuretic drinks also help to combat dimpled skin thanks to the veinotonic effects of certain plant extracts.

Results: a slimmer figure, weight loss and cellulite control. Diuretic drinks genuinely make you feel better about yourself: Discover our natural anti-cellulite article.


To help you hydrate

A study by Crédoc concluded that 20% of the French population lacks hydration. Yet water is the only essential drink for the body. We need to take in 2.5 litres of water a day: 1.5 litres in the form of a drink and 1 litre via water-containing foods.

When you start a detox or draining course of treatment with a diuretic drink, hydration becomes central again: it also means you can flavour water naturally. For some people, drinking pure water is not easy. While sugary drinks encourage water retention, a diuretic formula can be an excellent alternative for motivating people to drink more, while breaking them of the habit of drinking beverages that are too sweet.

Discover our article with 8 tips to help you drink enough every day.

What are the benefits of diuretic drinks?

There are many good reasons to opt for a course of diuretic drinks, but the benefits can vary from one person to another.

  • Combats water retention

  • Better elimination of excess salt and waste products

  • Relieves the sensation of heavy legs

  • Prevention of high blood pressure

  • Helps with weight loss

  • Reduces watery cellulite

  • Helps to ensure adequate hydration

  • Combines detoxifying and circulatory effects

  • Contributes to the body's overall energy levels

What natural diuretic solutions are there?

Our recommended diuretic drinks

To support your well-being, we have two herbal teas made from natural substances with tonic and draining properties: two genuine aids for improving your symptoms and to try a variety of anti-water-retention active ingredients.

Other draining active ingredients in your drinks

Rosemary: famous for its culinary uses, rosemary is also a medicinal plant. It helps to drain the body and promotes gentle elimination. Here, its flavour combines perfectly with the menthol and lemon flavours.

Blackcurrant: a natural drainer rich in antioxidants, blackcurrant also acts on blood circulation, while adding a subtly sweet note to your diuretic drink.

Nettle: known for its anti-inflammatory benefits, nettle increases diuresis. Its dried leaves are used to act as a natural detoxifier and drainer.

Peppermint: invigorating and refreshing, peppermint gives this delicious infusion character. It also improves digestion and may even relieve irritable bowel symptoms.

Lemongrass: another aromatic ingredient, lemongrass, also known as Andean verbena, rounds off this list of ingredients with its soothing properties.

Lemon: lemon is famous for its draining and purifying properties. When infused, lemon can also soothe the stomach and aid digestion. A touch of citrus that delicately flavours this hot drink.

Hibiscus: originally from Africa, hibiscus flowers have an incredibly fruity, tangy flavour. It is the ideal diuretic plant for draining the body. It is also reputed to lower blood pressure.

Pineapple: for digestive comfort and slimming, pineapple pulp contains the famous enzyme bromelain. This proteolytic enzyme also has anti-oedematous properties.

Chicory: chicory is a plant rich in antioxidants and inulin, a soluble fibre. It supports a healthy liver and microbiota.

How to do take a course of diuretic drinks?

To make sure you follow your diuretic drinks programme, here are 10 tips to help you stay effective and on course:

  1. Choose the right complete formula

  2. Follow the recommendations for use of the diuretic drink.

  3. Repeat the diuretic drinks course four times a year, for three weeks at a time

  4. Drink the diuretic drink preferably before 5 p.m.

  5. Keep well hydrated

  6. Maintain a balanced salt intake

  7. Cut down on sugary products

  8. Maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet

  9. Regular exercise

  10. Massage the most congested parts of the body (legs, arms, abdomen, legs, etc.)

Our draining and detox recipes

Detox Green Juice with Matcha Tea - Aroma-Zone

Chlorella detox drink - Aroma-Zone

Chlorella detox drink - Aroma-Zone

What precautions should be taken in terms of drainage?

In any of the following applies to you, drinking a diuretic drink requires a few precautions:

  • If you suffer from chronic heart disease, high blood pressure or kidney problems.

  • If you are taking medication

  • If you are pregnant or breast-feeding

Note

Always seek a doctor's advice to avoid any health complications or side effects. Finally, staying sufficiently hydrated is essential to compensate for water and mineral losses during the course (potassium, sodium, etc.). It is best to have the diuretic drink with or without caffeine in the morning, to improve renal action as metabolic activity decreases at the end of the day, and to prevent waking up at night when you feel the urge to urinate.

Expert advice

On a day-to-day basis, good habits to prevent water retention start with how we eat, by introducing water-rich foods and potassium-rich foods every day. It's a good way of balancing your diet and promoting natural drainage.

Find out more

Is coffee a diuretic?

Yes, at a rate of 4 to 5 cups a day, coffee has a diuretic effect. However, it should not be consumed in excess, as it can lead to relatively high water loss and dehydration. Ideally you would drink your caffeinated beverage along with a glass of water to hydrate yourself and take full advantage of its eliminating effects. Finally, black and green tea can be effective draining alternatives.

What is the most effective draining drink?

The ideal and most effective draining drink should include a sufficient dosage of draining active ingredients to have a real effect on diuresis. So be sure to read the nutritional labels, which also list the plant(s) used. What's more, it may be worth choosing a diuretic drink that contains multiple plant extracts rather than a single-ingredient formula, as a combinatin produces better results in terms of elimination. Choose a formula with or without caffeine, depending on your tolerance. Be sure to follow the recommended doses, and always speak to your doctor if you are taking medication or have a medical condition.

What's the best natural diuretic?

The best natural diuretic is first and foremost the one you like most in terms of flavour. After that, it's the one that suits your body and works for you the best. Everyone reacts differently to different ingredients, depending on the causes of water retention and your state of health. Preferably, opt for natural ingredients such as meadowsweet, pilosella, couch grass and many others. As a precaution, speak to your doctor.

Spotlight on our nutrition and dietetics specialist, Raquel Barros

Passionate about nutrition and well-being, Raquel has made dietetics her profession, mainly out of a love for food and sharing her expertise. After graduating with a BTS and specialising in sports nutrition, it was working for a number of pharmaceutical laboratories that introduced her to the world of natural solutions (food supplements, oligotherapy, etc.). For a number of years now, she has been contributing nutritional guidance and writing articles to answer the questions of those looking for flavoursome solutions and further knowledge. Women's health, anti-inflammatory food, sport and a balanced diet are just some of her favourite subjects.

Bibliography

1

CREDOC - Institut Européen de l’hydratation : 1,5 litre de boissons par jour, c’est pas la mer à boire ! - Press pack June 2014

2

EFSA. Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for water. EFSA Journal 2010.

3

Journal of Ethnopharmacology - Characterization of the diuretic effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn (Malvaceae) extract, 2012.

4

Herbal Plants Used as Diuretics: A comprehensive Review. Journal of Pharmaceutical, Dutta et al, 2014.