Natural Diuretics, Our Best Detox Friends

What does “diuretic” mean?

When we urinate, our body eliminates many wastes: urea, endogenous toxins (produced within the metabolism) and exogenous toxins (coming from outside), excess water and minerals…

Before these wastes are eliminated, the body has already performed identification, processing, and transportation tasks. To achieve this, it relies on the lymphatic system, which helps transport certain nutrients.

And on several organs responsible for waste elimination: the excretory organs. The main ones are the intestines, kidneys, liver, lungs, and skin.

So-called “diuretic” foods are those that promote the production of urine (called diuresis) and stimulate the body’s elimination process.

Here are the 5 main natural diuretics. And to understand their specific actions, see the list below.

Also read the Best Detox Supplements for the Liver

1. Green Tea

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is a powerful antioxidant, detoxifying, and natural diuretic. It owes much of its benefits to the catechin and caffeine it contains.

Indeed, caffeine has a diuretic and detox effect (provided it is not consumed excessively).

Catechin, on the other hand, drains the body while protecting the liver and kidneys.

To fully benefit from the advantages of green tea for elimination, we recommend drinking matcha tea, made by grinding dried green tea leaves.

Buy a natural diuretic with green tea: my selection

I recommend the 10-plant diuretic complex from the Nutrimea laboratory, which includes green tea.

Nutrimea is a French brand launched in 2012. We recommend them for their reliability: they use raw materials of controlled origin and analyze the quality of their dietary supplements in an ISO 22000:2005 certified laboratory.

Their products are cheaper than many other brands on the Internet, and their packaging is fully recyclable.

To enjoy a 10% immediate discount, use the promo code ” DARWIN10 ” when you place your order (using this code also helps support our blog).

2. Ginger

Due to its composition, ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a very interesting food for promoting the elimination of fluids through urination.

It notably contains potassium (1320 mg per 100 g) which manages water balance and regulates the amount of sodium.

However, be careful not to consume too much potassium as this mineral tends to accumulate in the body.

Also read the Ginger Juice, Benefits, and Recipes

Ginger also contains water (9.94 g per 100 g) and certain enzymes with diuretic properties. It’s an excellent food to keep you hydrated daily! The ideal is to pair it with lemon or to make a ginger juice, a delicious health drink.

Also read the Ginger Tea: Benefits and Preparation Tips

3. Kale

Kale (Brassica oleracea) is the star of green vegetables! Valued for its antioxidant and protective virtues and its low-calorie content, this cabbage is an excellent source of fiber and vitamin C. This vitamin prevents the accumulation of uric acid which, when in excess in the body, damages the kidneys and causes kidney stones.

Kale cabbage can be cooked in any way: raw, in salads, cooked, for making a winter soup, or even as chips.

You can also make a delicious diuretic green smoothie with kale/apple/ginger.

4. Lemon

It is often recommended to drink a glass of lemon water or lemon juice in the morning, on an empty stomach. It is indeed a good habit to gain energy, strengthen the immune system, cleanse the body, but above all to promote waste elimination.

Lemon (Citrus limon) increases the amount of urine in the body and is an excellent ‘cleanser’ of blood vessels at the kidney level.

As mentioned earlier, lemon goes perfectly with ginger. You can make a ginger/lemon/honey infusion or even combine lemon with parsley. Indeed, this aromatic plant has a significant diuretic and purifying action.

Here’s a recipe idea: mix the juice of one lemon, a small bunch of parsley, a glass of water, and a teaspoon of agave syrup (optional). Blend it all and enjoy!

5. Acerola

The acerola (Malpighia emarginata) is a tropical fruit that resembles a small cherry. However, it should not be confused with ‘classic’ cherries. Acerola is not part of the same family as the cherry tree.

Acerola is a powerful diuretic with a uricosuric effect, meaning it enhances the urinary elimination of uric acid. It stimulates kidney activity and increases urine production.

Acerola can be consumed as a dietary supplement (in tablets) or in powder form. Acerola powder has a fruity and fragrant taste.

Feel free to add a spoonful of acerola powder to your homemade juices or smoothies!

Essential nutrients for elimination

While natural laxatives act on intestinal transit, diuretics work on the kidneys as they filter the blood and expel waste through urine.

However, sometimes the kidneys fail to properly eliminate fluids. A diet too high in salt, circulatory issues, hormonal problems, pregnancy, or certain conditions can all disrupt the elimination process.

The main symptoms of poor fluid elimination from the body are:

• water retention in certain tissues (or water retention)
  
• venous problems (feeling of heavy legs, varicose veins…)
  
• a feeling of bloating
  
• weight gain
  
• skin problems
  
• high blood pressure
  
• high cholesterol level

Water, the number 1 diuretic

Drinking enough water is one of the best things you can do to help your kidneys function well. Water encourages urine production and fluid elimination. We often tend to believe that it increases retention, which is a mistake!

Even if the body is primarily made of water (between 55 and 75%), it constantly fears running out of water. Thus, if you reduce your water intake out of fear of retention, you encourage your body to ‘hoard’. Your body will naturally store excess water in muscles and tissues. Drinking water is therefore essential to limit water retention.

By diluting urine and helping to eliminate waste from the body, water greatly facilitates kidney function. It contributes to their good health and protects them from kidney stones. Every minute, 600 ml of water reaches the kidneys.

To stay hydrated, you can simply drink water but also consume fruits and vegetables rich in water like cucumber (which contains 97% water), melon, and watermelon (composed of 90% water) or cherries (composed of up to 70% water).

Fiber supports kidney function

Dietary fiber is an important nutrient for the kidneys. In addition to facilitating transit and thus eliminating solid waste, they help the body get rid of excess water and blood toxins.

Fiber effectively combats water retention, reducing kidney workload. To get enough fiber, prioritize cereals, chia seeds, and green vegetables. Also consider asparagus, whose fiber and asparagine increase urine production and cleanse the kidneys.