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| Staying well-hydrated can help reduce the symptoms of fluid retention. |
How to Counteract Fluid Retention From Drinking Soda
Fluid retention, also known as edema or water retention, can cause puffiness in your ankles, legs, hands and face.
While often not life-threatening, continued fluid retention or severe puffiness means that you need medical attention and should not try to treat the condition at home.
Fluid retention from drinking soda is often mild, so making small dietary changes can help reduce the symptoms as well as the likelihood of it occurring again.
Causes of Fluid Retention
Fluid retention can affect anyone. It can be caused by caffeine or sodium consumption as well as environmental or behavioral factors, such as sitting and standing for long periods or being exposed to hot weather.
When your body feels it needs to balance out high sodium levels, or when it is at risk of dehydration, it will hold onto fluid rather than releasing it, causing you to feel bloated or swollen.
Edema and Soda
Sodas contain sodium and, in some cases, caffeine, both of which can cause fluid retention.
Caffeine is a natural diuretic, which encourages your body to release fluids, whether there is excess available or not.
Eventually, this can lead your body to hold onto fluid rather than release it, as it tries to protect itself from possible dehydration.
Sodium can also cause your body to retain water, as the extra fluid is needed to dilute sodium levels in your system to a healthy level.
Staying Well-Hydrated
The simplest way of combating fluid retention is to stay well-hydrated because having enough water in your system will prevent your body from holding onto fluids.
The general recommendation is eight 8-ounce glasses of water, or other fluids, per day and more if you live in a hot climate, do hard physical labor or eat a high-sodium diet.
While you can drink a range of beverages to stay hydrated, including tea, broth, juices and water, avoid caffeinated drinks as they are natural diuretics.
Other Dietary Changes
Another way to treat fluid retention from soda consumption is to change your soda type.
Try a caffeine-free drink, which will also be lower in sodium than other soda choices, including flavored and regular sodas.
A can of cola can contain between 40 and 70 milligrams of sodium per 12-ounce serving, which is a relatively high amount considering the small serving size.
The recommended upper limit of sodium consumption per day is 2,300 milligrams.
Or 1,500 milligrams for those who are over age 50, for people who are African-American or those who have a history of cardiovascular disease.
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Jessica Lewis has published professionally since 2005 and is a registered dietitian and nutritionist. Her work is regularly found in the "National Post" and "Oxygen Magazine."
She holds degrees from the University of Guelph and McMaster University. A marathon runner and yoga enthusiast, she is also interested in alternative medicine.
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/counteract-fluid-retention-drinking-soda-11964.html
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