16 Jul How to reduce water retention when you’re over 50

Many people find that, once they’re over 50, it becomes much harder to reduce water retention.

Hormonal changes, possibly carrying a little extra weight, medication or a more sedentary lifestyle can all lead to fluid retention, which causes puffiness and bloating, usually around the tummy, ankles and feet, fingers and hands. 

At best, it’s annoying. At worst, it can lead to discomfort, restrict movement of joints and even cause problems for skin which can become stretched, tight and reddened over swollen areas.  

If you’ve only started suffering from water retention or localised swelling recently, the most important thing is to make sure it’s not a sign of an underlying health condition. A quick chat with your GP and possibly some blood tests should put your mind at rest on that score.

Taking care of your health when you want to reduce water retention

Once you are sure that it’s just fluid, there are simple steps you can take to reduce water retention and get it under control naturally, without resorting to pharmaceutical drugs.

HRI Water Balance tablets are herbal water retention pills that are safe to take with most medications, apart from prescription diuretic medicines. 

However, before you start taking the tablets, you should always double-check with your pharmacist, GP or health adviser and show them the patient information leaflet, which explains exactly what’s in our water retention pills. 

So that’s the health warnings out of the way – now let’s focus on what you can do to get rid of water retention for good!

Top tips to help reduce water retention

To ensure that you get the best results from your water retention pills, here are some steps you can take to reduce the symptoms of this irritating and uncomfortable condition.

Put your feet up. Right up.

Swelling of the ankles, feet and lower legs is known medically as peripheral oedema. If swollen ankles are the main problem for you, the easiest way to reduce this is to spend around 30 – 60 minutes every day with your feet level with – or higher than –  your heart. 

Just putting your feet up on a footstool isn’t enough. 

Lifting your legs gives your circulatory system a chance to work with gravity instead of fighting it, giving it a chance to clear the fluid naturally from ankles and lower legs. 

Keep up your intake of clear fluids

It’s very tempting to cut back on how much you drink if you are concerned about fluid retention, but in fact, the best bet to help flush out toxins is to drink plenty of water or clear fruit teas. 

Drinking a small amount of caffeine every day is thought to help with reducing water retention, but there’s a fine line between the right amount and too much, so it’s best to keep tea and coffee to a minimum. 

Cut down on salt

Salt is known to contribute to water retention, so cutting back can help reduce swelling – especially during hot weather. 

You may not add salt to your food, but some of our everyday foods contain surprisingly high amounts of ‘hidden’ salt. White bread, biscuits and processed meats such as ham or sausages are all very high in sodium (salt), so it’s worth trying to swap these for less processed foods.

Get moving

Exercise is the real key to keeping your circulation working effectively and stopping fluid from pooling in tissues where it’s not wanted. Regular brisk walking, cycling or stretching exercises such as yoga or pilates are all ideal ways of getting rid of water retention.

Effective relief with water retention pills 

Most of us over 50 don’t want to take any medications that aren’t absolutely essential.

Prescription water retention pills often contain a drug called furosemide which has been associated with side effects including muscle cramps, feeling dizzy, headaches or nausea. 

That’s why many people have trusted our herbal medicine, HRI Water Balance, as the best water retention pills for decades. We’ve had so many five star reviews over the years – here’s what just one customer said on Amazon: 

“I use these each month when I start to feel bloated and heavier. I think it takes a couple of days to start to work and then notice a difference.” 

HRI Water Balance is now the only licensed herbal medicine available on the UK market that is designed to help relieve fluid retention gently and naturally. 

Our water retention tablets contain extracts of dandelion, a natural and gentle diuretic to help you pass fluid more easily as wee, plus Uva Ursi to help maintain natural bladder function and reduce inflammation and Buchu Leaf, a natural antioxidant and diuretic.

Take these steps to reduce the discomfort of fluid retention naturally so you can get back to enjoying doing what you love best – no matter what your age!