Stay Hydrated
Though it doesn’t seem practical to drink more water when the body is already accumulating more water than it should, staying hydrated and drinking at least eight glasses of water daily help eliminate edema—the swelling caused by fluid buildup in the tissues.
As crazy as it may seem, the body tends to hold onto the water if it is not hydrated enough. The abnormal retention causes fluid buildup, leading to swelling. Plus, staying hydrated helps flush out excess sodium and other waste in the body through the renal system.
Staying hydrated also means staying away from alcohol. When drunk, the body fluids move faster through the renal system, which causes dehydration.
Experts suggest that women drink at least 2.7 liters of water per day, whereas men drink 3.7 liters. As a rule, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies says that to stay hydrated, 80% of the total amount of daily recommended water intake should come from beverages and 20% from food.
