Holding onto too much sodium not only causes fluid retention, but may also increase blood pressure. To restore balance, and feel more comfortable in your pants, flush sodium out of your system by upping your water intake and eating high-potassium foods. If you’ve eaten too much salt and you’re feeling puffy and bloated, here’s how to safely get rid of extra sodium in your body.

Holding onto too much sodium not only causes fluid retention, but may also increase blood pressure. To restore balance, and feel more comfortable in your pants, flush sodium out of your system by upping your water intake and eating high-potassium foods. If you’ve eaten too much salt and you’re feeling puffy and bloated, here’s how to safely get rid of extra sodium in your body.

Drink Your Water

Drinking more water increases urine production and helps flush out excess sodium- google image 

Your kidneys are responsible for getting rid of sodium in your urine. Drinking more water increases urine production and helps flush out excess sodium. On average, adults need 8 to 12 cups of water a day to replace normal losses, which means you may need to drink more to get rid of the extra sodium in your system. To stay on target, fill a 64- to 96-ounce container with water to drink throughout the day to make sure you get what you need to flush the sodium.

Eat Water-Rich Foods

Drinking more than 12 cups of water in a day may be difficult. To supplement water intake and help decrease sodium in your body, you’ll also want to include foods with a high water content. Fruits and vegetables — such as strawberries, oranges, apples, lettuce, cucumbers and peppers — make good choices. Also, oatmeal made with water, yogurt, fruit smoothies and low-sodium soups can up your fluid intake to assist in flushing sodium.

Increase Your Potassium Intake

Banana is high in potassium – google image 

Potassium plays an important role in maintaining fluid balance. Consuming foods that contain potassium can help to control blood pressure by reducing the effects of sodium and helping to remove it out of the body. According to the American Heart Association, most women should get 2,600 milligrams of potassium a day and men 3,400 milligrams a day, but most adults tend to get a lot less than that on a daily basis. Foods high in potassium include bananas, potatoes, oranges, tomatoes, strawberries, avocados and beans

Get Moving

Increasing your physical activity is a great way to rid the body of any excess sodium. Exercising causes your body to shed a combination of water and salt. Because of this natural process, you should always drink water while working out to help prevent dehydration or a more serious health condition called hyponatremia. Hyponatremia can occur if your body is not receiving enough fluids and, as a result, cause your body to retain salt.

Source: Eatingwell, SFGate 

READ MORE

• 6 THINGS THAT HAPPEN IF YOU EAT TOO MUCH SALT
• 6 FOODS TO KEEP YOUR LIVER FUNCTIONING AT ITS BEST
• SIX THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU DON’T EAT ENOUGH FIBER