Are drainers effective against water retention?

Heavy legs, swollen feet, thickened silhouette… Water retention affects a large part of the population, particularly women, and can quickly become uncomfortable and a source of complexes. How do drainers work to combat it? Which are the most effective? Response from Doctor Laure Martinat, expert in phytotherapy.

Drainers are food supplements that belong to the large sphere of so-called “detox” products.

Their goal is not only to eliminate water but tooptimize the elimination of metabolitestherefore waste present in the body, in particular by increasing the production of urine or by supporting the circulation of fluids.

Although the terms diuretic and drainer are often used interchangeably, they are not entirely synonymous.

« A diuretic only targets the kidney by a mechanical and mineral action since it forces the excretion of water by inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium. He therefore increases the volume of urine » indicates Dr. Martinat. diuretics are drugs (such as furosemide), which work by inhibiting sodium reabsorption to increase urinary excretion. Their effect is measurable, rapid, and used in a medical context, particularly to treat edema or l’hypertension. « Their disadvantage is that they increase potassium eliminationand therefore require supplementation during the duration of treatment” adds the doctor.

The term drainer is much broader and less medical. It is mainly used in nutrition and herbal medicine to designate products intended to support all the elimination functions of the body, namely the kidneys and the hepato-biliary system.

Furthermore, draining plants have the advantage of often being a source of minerals such as potassium or silica, and are therefore less demineralizing for the body.

Let us first point out that so-called “draining” products (plants, herbal teas, supplements) do not directly activate the lymphatic drainage in the strict sense. The lymphatic system functions primarily mechanicallythrough body movements, breathing and, possibly, manual massage techniques.

So-called “draining” plants act on the emunctories, mainly the liver and the kidneys. Each plant has a particular affinity for one of these systems, although many have cross-actions.

“Certain plants primarily target the hepato-biliary sphere (liver and gallbladder): this is particularly the case of artichoke, rosemary or even black radish » indicates Dr. Martinat

Other plants have a so-called aquaretic or diuretic action, that is to say they stimulate elimination by the kidneys by increasing the volume of urine. « Plants aquaretics are the orthosiphon, the piloselle or even the cherry tailtraditionally used to promote renal drainage and limit water retention » continues the expert.

Finally, certain plants, such as dandelion have a mixed actionwhose leaves are rather diureticswhile its racine supports more the liver.

Natural drainers, which mainly target renal excretion and therefore water retention, have an action that remains gentle, unlike medicinal diuretics.

The cellulite – also called orange peel – is a modification natural of the skin structurewhich corresponds to a set of three phenomena: an accumulation of fat in the fat cells (adipocytes), a tissue fibrosis (fibers which stiffen the area) and sometimes edemai.e. water retention.
« A draining product can reduce localized water retention between fat cells and give the feeling of « deflating », but it does not act on the other physiopathological components of cellulite, namely fat and fibrosis » recalls the expert. In other words, she will significantly reduce watery cellulite which is the most superficial, but will have no effect on deep and embedded adipose cellulite.

By promoting renal elimination and urinary excretion, draining products will mathematically cause weight loss on the scale… which does not mean that they make you lose weight!

Water retention often gives this feeling of swelling or tighter clothes for no apparent reason. It is generally linked to a slightly slowed circulation of fluidsand to a imbalance between what the body retains and what it eliminates. The good news is that we can act fairly quickly with a few targeted adjustments.

In terms of diet, the idea is not so much to eat less – as long as there is no associated excess weight – but to rebalance. Reduce salt is an essential first step, because sodium promotes water retention, drawing fluid into the tissues. It’s not just about having a lighter hand on the salt shaker, but above all about limiting processed products (prepared meals, cold meats, snacks), which are often much saltier than we think.
Another tip: favor foods rich in potassium — such as vegetables, fruits or legumes — which helps the body better regulate fluids.

Finally, last point, sometimes counter-intuitive but nevertheless essential: drink enough water ! The more hydrated the body is, the less water it retains.

Hygiene of life plays just as much a role. Practice regular physical activitywalking or just moving daily, helps restart circulation and the drainage process, and prevent water from stagnating. Conversely, prolonged sitting or standing greatly accentuates the phenomenon.
The lack of sleep and the stress also come into play, because they influence the hormones (aldosterone, cortisol, ADH) which promote retention.

Finally, certain small gestures can help to “deflate” more quickly: raise the legs for a few minutes, finish your shower with a jet of cool water on the lower limbs, or even practice draining massages. These solutions mainly act on the “water” component — they are effective quickly, but their effects remain temporary if the underlying causes are not addressed.