Water retention is a common problem that causes excess fluid to be built up in the circulatory system, body tissues, or cavities in the body. Consisting of 70% water, the human body has a complex system of hormones and prostaglandins that are in charge of regulating water levels inside and outside our body’s cells. This system can become dysfunctional for a number reason which can lead to significant water retention, giving people a heavier and softer appearance.

By reducing fluid, diuretic supplements can help reduce swelling and regulate water balance, thereby promoting a leaner and more muscular physique. Diuretic supplements are popular with bodybuilders and those looking for tools to weight loss.

There are many reasons why individuals experience water retention issues. One problem is found in the capillaries – tiny blood vessels through which nutrient, vitamin and oxygen-rich fluids, known as interstitial fluid, continuously pass. The interstitial fluid nourishes cells and eventually makes its way back to the capillaries, but if pressure in the capillaries changes, or if the capillaries become too leaky, excess liquid will be released into the tissue spaces between cells, resulting in swelling and waterlogging (water retention).

Another significant factor that leads to water retention is found when there is a problem with the body’s lymphatic system – a network of vessels which is responsible for draining fluid from tissues and emptying it back into the bloodstream. When too much fluid is released and the lymphatic system becomes overwhelmed, the altered rate at which fluid is returned back to the bloodstream can cause water retention. When this happens fluid will remain in the tissues, causing swelling in various parts of the body, particularly the abdomen, ankles, legs and feet.

Water retention difficulties can also occur due to heart problems. If the heart is not functioning at a normal capacity there will be a change in blood pressure, which often results in considerable water retention.