Thighs that seem to thicken overnight, a bloated belly, swollen knees by the end of the day, and legs that feel impossibly heavy… Could it be water retention? Fair enough, but what can you do about it? If you’re tempted to try a course of draining drinks, here’s what you need to know: what water retention is, what causes it and how it shows up, then what a draining drink is, the plants you’ll typically find in one, and the simple everyday habits that go hand in hand with it.
Everything you need to know about water retention
1- What is water retention?
It’s a fairly common phenomenon, but one that can be genuinely uncomfortable. Water retention is caused by poor elimination of water from the body. Our bodies are made up of approximately 65% water. Under normal circumstances, water circulates throughout the body and is eliminated via the excretory organs — primarily the kidneys, but also the skin (through sweat) and the lungs (through breathing). Sometimes, however, this finely tuned mechanism breaks down. Water accumulates and stagnates in the blood vessels which, under this excess pressure, dilate and become permeable. Water then escapes and settles into the surrounding tissues.
2- What causes water retention?
There are many factors that can contribute to water retention, including:
- Hormones: certain female hormones, such as oestrogen, encourage water retention. It’s no surprise, then, that we tend to bloat at certain points in our cycle or during pregnancy. The same applies to some synthetic hormones. The contraceptive pill, for instance, can trigger water retention if it isn’t well suited to you.
- Venous insufficiency: in some people, due to genetics or a sedentary lifestyle, venous return is less efficient. Fluids tend to “pool downwards”, vessels dilate… and water retention sets in, particularly in the legs and thighs.
- Underlying health conditions: certain illnesses or medications can worsen water retention. This includes people with heart, kidney or thyroid conditions, or those taking antihypertensive or anti-inflammatory treatments.
- Lifestyle factors: general lifestyle habits can play a significant role in the onset of water retention. Contributing factors include insufficient hydration, smoking, prolonged sitting or standing, tight-fitting clothing, a diet high in salt, and extended exposure to heat.
3- What are the effects of water retention?
So how does water retention actually show up? It tends to produce a rather unpleasant set of symptoms, including:
- Swelling: it’s unsightly and can affect any area of the body, but most commonly appears in the lower half (gravity being what it is). Legs that look like tree trunks, swollen feet, puffy thighs, a waistline that seems to expand as if by magic.
- Unexplained weight gain: water retention causes the scales to creep up. This isn’t fat accumulation (thankfully!). It’s water building up in the tissues, which naturally adds weight.
- Heavy legs: a feeling of heaviness in the legs, accompanied by tingling and pins and needles… This can very well be water retention linked to venous insufficiency, so do talk to your GP about it. And it’s deeply uncomfortable.
- Cellulite: but not just any kind. When cellulite is associated with water retention, it’s known as aqueous cellulite. It presents as a puffy, swollen appearance, not necessarily painful, but with a visible orange-peel texture when pinched.
Draining drinks and water retention: what you need to know
1- What is a draining drink?
First things first, if you’re not sure what a draining drink actually is: it’s a plant-based drink or drinkable solution, sold as a food supplement. It’s often said to act on water elimination, and sometimes on venous tone or digestion, but none of these effects has been demonstrated for these products.
2- What’s in a draining drink?
It’s not quite so straightforward. Draining drinks generally combine several families of plants. They’re credited with effects on the veins or on water elimination, but these effects have not been demonstrated for these drinks.
The plants you’ll most often find in draining drinks include:
- So-called venotonic plants: butcher’s broom, red vine, horse chestnut, ginkgo biloba, blackcurrant, bilberry, witch hazel, sweet clover.
- Plants reputed to be anti-inflammatory: nettle, devil’s claw, turmeric, willow, pineapple, bamboo, horsetail, marigold, Roman chamomile.
- So-called diuretic plants: ash, birch, mouse-ear hawkweed, orthosiphon, heather, dandelion, cherry stem, meadowsweet.
Our Cellublue drink to dilute also combines several actives. It features one of the plants mentioned above (ash), along with green tea, papaya and guarana, all with a pineapple flavour. It’s taken as a course, one dose a day with a meal, like any other food supplement. Please note that our Cellulite Capsules, vegan capsules crafted from plants, also contain green tea, so don’t take them on the same day as the drink. Looking for a more complete routine? Try our anti-cellulite care range, and have a look at our tips for looking after your body day to day. If you’re pregnant, taking any medication or have any doubts, ask your GP or pharmacist for advice before starting a course.
3- Any other tips for tackling water retention?
Alongside your course, a number of lifestyle and dietary habits are well worth adopting:
- A varied diet low in salt, with room for simple foods: leafy green vegetables, red berries, nuts, wholegrains, and even a little dark chocolate.
- Movement every day, with some walking and, where possible, a gentle sport practised regularly (yoga, aqua aerobics, Pilates, swimming).
- Better lifestyle habits overall: avoiding static positions and heat sources, quitting smoking, and wearing loose-fitting clothing.
- Small gestures that make a big difference, like elevating your legs in the evening and at night (it feels amazing!) and finishing your shower with a cold water rinse over your legs.
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