Water retention affects women, but men too!

Water retention refers to the body's tendency to retain fluids. These excess fluids generally accumulate in the interstitial spaces (those between cells) and more significantly in certain areas prone to fat accumulation, such as the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. One of the main signs of water retention is the classic 'swelling' caused by the accumulation of excess fluids in the tissues. Let's look at some of the factors that can lead to fluid stagnation in our body and what countermeasures we can take to try to reduce the occurrence of this problem and improve our health (wearing, in the case of men, special draining shirts that can help reduce imperfections in general).

What causes water retention?

1. Stress – when we are stressed we produce a hormone called Cortisol.  Cortisol is a catabolic hormone – meaning it “borrows” important substances from the muscles to favor a quick escape during imminent danger. Excessive production of this hormone can reduce lean mass while increasing the presence of fat and water retention on the body (fat and fluids are necessary for a period of famine so the body does not die).
2. A too restrictive diet – Adopting this type of diet can convince your body that you are in a period of “famine”. A scientific study found that a too restrictive diet increases the production levels of cortisol which, as we mentioned earlier, can create both water retention and an increase in fat mass.
3. Too aggressive workouts – The body cannot always be in “ON” mode. Many think that training must always be performed at the maximum, but it is not so: if you look at sports teams, they alternate days of intense training and days with recovery sessions. The body always seeks balance, better known as homeostasis. It is better to avoid training too intensely and for too long to avoid raising the stress level and leading to an excessive production of cortisol.
4. Sodium-potassium pump – To manage the exchange of nutrients at the cellular level, cellular osmosis carried by water is needed. There must be a right ratio between sodium and potassium in the body to avoid extra-cellular water retention. Water retention doesn't just make you swell; it can also contribute to slowing down cellular metabolism by slowing down your basal metabolism.
5. Drinking little water – Poor water intake can lead to dehydration. In the early stages of dehydration, the body retains the fluids present in the body to avoid reaching death. In significant cases, water is taken back from urine, making the latter very dense, of a vivid color and with a strong odor. It is therefore very important to take in plenty of water so that the body begins to release old reserves.

Some tips to reduce water retention:

1. Relax – Try turning off your cell phone every now and then and getting at least 7-8 hours of continuous sleep a night.
2. Do not consume too much salt, and try to integrate a right amount of potassium. You can help yourself with a good mineral salt supplement.
3. Do not follow a restrictive diet – You need a varied diet rich in carbohydrates with a low glycemic index and fiber. In this regard, pasta is not a forbidden food!
4. Drink more water – It is recommended to consume at least a liter and a half of water a day; herbal teas and vegetables can also help hydrate you.
5. Train by alternating intensity – If you always do cardio workouts, try varying your routine and alternating those types of sessions with other toning and/or stretching sessions, and every 3rd day do not train at all.
6. USE BEGOOD® – It is clinically tested that the Dermofibra® used to manufacture BeGood garments helps reduce water retention, thanks to far-infrared rays activated by body heat. These help break down molecular adhesions between water molecules, favoring the drainage of excess fluids. Wear a BeGood garment and you will see that within 90 minutes you will start running to the bathroom to pee. BeGood is an excellent ally to fight water retention, and in addition, they are beautiful garments to wear.