Are you shopping for water pills? Before you pick up a bottle of these popular weight loss and bloating reduction aids, you should know what you’re getting into. You may think you’re picking up a quick fix to your weight loss struggles. But, you may get more than you bargained for.
These pills, while widely used, aren’t necessarily safe and they may not deliver the results you’re hoping to see. This post will clarify all of your questions about these pills. Learn the truth about what these diuretics are meant to do, the science behind how they work, how to be safe when using them, and how you might be able to avoid them altogether.
What Do They Do? Common Uses
Water pills, also known as diuretics, are a commonly prescribed medication for a number of conditions. Some common uses for them are to control blood pressure and to treat glaucoma and edema.
Edema is bloating or swelling unexplained by another condition. Women may experience slight bloating during their menstrual cycle, especially as a premenstrual symptom. Other times this condition simply appears for no real reason. Diuretics are a common go-to solution for this issue.
However, in addition to prescriptions from doctors, there are also plenty of over the counter pills that you can find that can help you with these and other conditions. Keep in mind that what you find in a prescription pill is different than the OTC options. While prescriptions typically rely on proven specific chemical ingredients, over the counter varieties are herbal remedies made of natural ingredients.
These pills are also a commonly used tool for weight loss. People who use water pills for this reason take over the counter pills, as doctors don’t prescribe diuretics for this reason. But, do they really work? Should you take them? Learn about the details of this question in the next session.
Water Pills for Weight Loss: Real Science or a Scam
Water pills for weight loss have become popular because in the short-term, they help you lose weight. These water weight pills can help you eliminate excess water weight that you’re carrying in your body, and fast. But, what are the risks? How does this work?
How Do Water Pills Work?
Diuretics force your kidneys to expel excess water and salts when you urinate. That’s why this medication is typically used for people who struggle with fluid regulation such as in blood pressure patients. However, we all carry a certain amount of water weight. Our bodies need water, which is why so many dietitians and health professionals stress the importance of staying hydrated. That being said, you can accumulate excess water weight easily, typically making you feel bloated.
What Exactly Is Water Weight? Water weight is the amount of weight in your body associated with water. The human body is up to two-thirds water! However, in addition to water-rich fluids in your body, water weight may also refer to water stored in your liver and muscle cells in the form of glycogen. Glycogen is what your body creates to store energy when you consume carbohydrates. Each gram of glycogen holds up to 3 grams of water.
Diet pills can help your body eliminate excess water weight. Keep in mind that the average person doesn’t hold tons and tons of excess water weight. If you did, it would likely be the sign of a more serious health issue and you would need the help of a doctor to treat the condition. But, it’s possible that you’re holding a small amount of water weight that’s keeping you from reaching your goal weight. With the help of water pills for weight loss, you can easily eliminate the extra weight.
How Fast Do Water Pills Work
In as little as 3 days, you will notice a difference. The effects are almost immediate. As evidenced in a real-life experiment Dr. Oz conducted on his show, in 3 days you can lose 3 or 4 pounds quite easily. However, it’s important to note that as soon as you stop taking the pills, the weight will come back. It’s not a permanent solution. Once you allow your body’s fluid regulation system work as normal again, your body will likely once again retain the same amount of water as before. However, it’s these impressive initial results that drive people to try these seemingly magical pills over and over again.
Best Water Pills: Quality and Results
Seeking a quick fix or relief from bloating and swelling? Water pills aren’t miracle workers, but they can certainly give you a boost and may help you reduce bloating.
If you want to try water pills, make sure you’re purchasing from reputable companies that use trusted ingredients proven as diuretics. While diuretics used for medical conditions require a prescription, there are also plenty of over the counter water pills for sale. A quick search will reveal that there are endless possibilities. But, which are the best water pills?
The best water pills contain proven ingredients and have a good reputation with customers. Here are three that you can access easily:
This product promises to help reduce water retention, eliminate bloating and weight loss. With Water Off, your muscles will also appear more prominent, the product claims. Water Off is made using natural ingredients. There are many positive customer reviews supporting the claims made by the manufacturer.
Highlights
Natural ingredients
Ingredients such as dandelion root are proven diuretics as shown in studies
Great reviews
Vegetable capsule makes it an ideal choice for vegetarians
Vita Balance is a company from the UK. With all manufacturing in the US, the company serves both US and UK markets. Their US based manufacturing labs and factories are GMP registered. The company produces a range of diet and health supplements.
The Bottom Line
This product offers a water weight solution using natural ingredients. It is a great choice for vegetarians since there is no gelatin in the capsule. The many positive reviews show that the product works and meets customer expectations. Furthermore, it comes from a reputable company that produces their supplements in a registered facility that meets requirements laid out by the FDA.
This supplement has great reviews. According to the manufacturer, the pills can help reduce bloating, encourage weight loss and boost your metabolism. Ingredients are mainly from natural sources and are associated with a number of functions that can help you lose weight, including through increased urine output.
Highlights
Natural ingredients
Ingredients such as green tea and dandelion leaf associated with weight loss and diuretic properties
Great reviews
Ingredients
Vitamin B-6, Potassium Chloride, Dandelion leaf, Green Tea Leaf, Cranberry Fruit Powder, Juniper Berry Extract, Buchu Leaf, Apple Cider Vinegar, Corn Silk Powder, Paprika Powder, Watermelon Powder, Gelatin, Microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, and vegetable magnesium stearate
Who Makes it
Tevare is a US based company. While there isn’t much information available about the company itself, they sell a number of supplements and health related products. Many of the products have impressive ratings.
The Bottom Line
As far as water pills go, Water Away by Tevare is a great choice. It features natural ingredients you can trust and has achieved great customer reviews. Even customers with swelling and inflammation report success using this product. Do beware that it does contain gelatin, and so is not the best choice for vegetarians.
Water Away by Bio Sense is a great choice in water pills. Made from natural ingredients, the supplement helps customers lose weight, get rid of excess water weight and reduce bloating. The caffeine in the green tea may also help boost your energy levels. With an overall excellent customer approval rating, Water Away seems to be a good choice for reducing water weight and bloating.
Highlights
Natural ingredients
It contains green tea, dandelion leaf and other ingredients proven to function as diuretics and weight loss aids
Impressive reviews
Ingredients
Vitamin B-6, Potassium Chloride, Dandelion leaf, Green Tea Leaf, Cranberry Fruit Powder, Juniper Berry Extract, Buchu Leaf, Apple Cider Vinegar, Corn Silk Powder, Paprika Powder, Watermelon Powder, Gelatin, Microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, and vegetable magnesium stearate
Who Makes it
Bio Sense is a US based company that has a range of supplements and health products for sale, all with impressive ratings and reviews. While little additional information on the company is available, it is heartening to notice the positive feedback.
The Bottom Line
As far as water pills go, this one is a great option as it makes use of natural ingredients. The customer reviews are also encouraging, showing that users have been able to lose weight and reduce swelling and bloating.
Water Pills Side Effects
Most healthcare professionals don’t recommend taking OTC water pills. Why? Because there are a number of side effects and complications that could affect you should you take them without supervision.
What are some of the side effects of taking water pills that you might see? Aside from frequent urination, which is an obvious consequence, diuretics in general can result in:
Dizziness
Headaches
Dehydration
Irregular blood potassium and sodium levels
Muscle cramps
Erectile dysfunction
Muscle cramps
These side effects can result whether or not your diuretics have been prescribed. However, if you’re taking OTC water pills for weight loss, you may put yourself at greater risk because your body is already managing your fluid levels adequately. Thus, you may be even more likely to feel dehydrated, for example, since you should already maintain the correct amount of fluids in your body.
Furthermore, taking diuretics over a long-period of time can create diuretic-induced edema. This means that your kidneys will compensate by actually retaining more water than necessary, causing swelling. This condition can be complicated to treat and isn’t something you want to have happen. That means that water pills should be taken with caution.
How to Take Water Pills Safely
While there is reason for concern about the safety of taking water pills, you can take over the counter water pills safely. Here are our tips for taking water pills to give you that extra boost of weight loss without compromising your health:
Don’t Take them Long-Term: You may consider taking an over the counter diuretic for a few days at a time, or up to a week to help slim down for a special event or to diminish bloating associated with PMS, for example. However, don’t take them for weeks on end. You should definitely give your body a break.
Talk to Your Doctor: It’s best to find treatment for symptoms of bloating or swelling through your doctor. Prescribed diuretics will be safer for you as prescription drugs are held to stricter standards than the supplement industry. Furthermore, you’ll get the correct dose for your unique symptoms and body. Also, the risk of an interaction between the diuretic and other medications you take will be significantly reduced.
Double Check for Quality: If you do choose to purchase over the counter water pills, make sure they come from a reputable company with good customer reviews.
So, it is possible to take water pills safely. However, if losing weight is your main reason, you should also be aware that you can likely control your water weight in other ways.
Also, it may not be as important to control your water weight as it seems. As a general rule, most people have a fluctuating water weight that depends on their diet and lifestyle. For example, after eating a high-sodium meal, you may feel a bit bloated. That’s because your body retains extra water to balance out the salt. But, this is obviously a temporary feeling that passes after your body’s levels have returned to normal.
What should you know about your natural water weight and how you can maintain a low water weight?
How to Reduce Water Weight Naturally
There are many factors that play into how much water weight you carry. Here are some of the main ones to look out for:
Sodium Intake: As you read in the previous section, too much salt intake can cause water retention. Try to adhere to the recommended maximum of 2,300 mg of sodium per day. Remember, processed foods are the biggest culprits for having high levels of sodium. By limiting your intake, you’ll also reduce your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes.
Protein Levels: Proteins play an important role in regulating body fluids. You should consume about 1 gram per kilogram of body weight every day. So, if you weigh 175 lbs, you should consume 79 grams of protein.
Potassium Intake: Getting enough potassium can help level you out if you get too much sodium. You can easily make sure you get enough potassium by eating potassium rich foods such as winter squash, sweet potato, cantaloupe, banana and broccoli.
Magnesium Intake: Magnesium may help reduce water retention as well, as evidenced by this study of women who experienced bloating and swelling as a premenstrual syndrome. You should be able to get enough magnesium from foods such as spinach, potato, cheese, yogurt, soy, and beans, among other foods.
Drink Water: Contrary to what you may think, drinking water can help reduce your weight weight and water retention. Why? Think about it, if your body feels like it’s becoming dehydrated, it holds onto all of the water it can, rather than letting it go. So, drink up! Hate the taste of water? Try lemon water or cucumber water to stay motivated and stay hydrated.
Carbohydrates: Remember how carbohydrates turn into glycogen which is notorious for holding onto water? A super carb-heavy diet can cause you to retain more water than a more moderate diet. That doesn’t mean you have to go carb-free. Rather, focus on whole grain carbohydrates and ensuring that your diet includes a great balance of all of the macronutrients.
Exercise: Moving your body promotes better circulation so that you don’t experience swelling or bloating in certain areas of the body. Of course, make sure also stay well-hydrated while exercising!
The Bottom Line On Water Pills
If water pills for weight loss sound too good to be true, it’s because they most likely are. You can lose a few pounds quickly by taking water pills, but in the long run, it won’t last. If you really want to lose water weight, it’s much safer to make lifestyle changes that will help you lower your water retention levels.
When facing symptoms such as bloating and swelling, water pills may be the best solution. But, it’s best if you go to your doctor so that you can be given the correct medications and dosages.
The bottom line? Water pills aren’t an ideal solution for weight loss. Use them for a quick fix if you’d like, but make sure you follow the recommendations on the product and avoid taking them long-term. Ultimately, if you have real weight loss goals, you should aim for losing body fat, not water weight. There are also supplements and diet plans available that can really help you lose weight. Using apple cider vinegar pills, for example, may help you lose weight. Losing fat will make a more lasting impact on your weight and health than losing just water weight.
Have you used water pills? What did you use them for? Tell us about your experience in the comments! We’d love to hear from you.
Rachel is a writer, Montessori teacher, and mother, happily living with her family in Guatemala where fresh coffee is always ready. Professionally, she enjoys providing her audiences with thought-provoking articles about health and fitness, early childhood education, and parenting.
I’m slowly starting to clean up my diet but I still have a long way to go and water weight is a huge problem for me. I’ve never been that careful with my diet but even after cutting down on fried foods and sweets there’s very little improvement; I’m having circulatory issues as well so I’m guessing this could be one of the causes. I’ve saved all these three products and now I have to do my homework and see which one is good for me considering my medical history.
The saying “there’s no shortcuts to good health” might not be as true anymore as it used to be, but I still thing exercise and a healthy diet is the best option. I never buy stuff like this anymore without doing proper research first and remember, overuse of anything can be dangerous even stuff like protein shakes. Im happy that you decided to include a warning in the beginning of the article, its really important that people know what they’re doing.
It seems like there are many more cons than pros to water pills and they seem like they could be dangerous for people who are looking for that ‘quick fix’, so thanks for the warnings. What situations do you recommend them for, or is it always better to choose a more natural option like the ones you provided?
Wow….. Informative content. But it is not usually available off-shelve. I will love to order mine. How can I go about it.
I’m slowly starting to clean up my diet but I still have a long way to go and water weight is a huge problem for me. I’ve never been that careful with my diet but even after cutting down on fried foods and sweets there’s very little improvement; I’m having circulatory issues as well so I’m guessing this could be one of the causes. I’ve saved all these three products and now I have to do my homework and see which one is good for me considering my medical history.
Hi LT, Great work on cleaning up your diet! I hope you can get some help on your circulatory issues.
Hi Francisca,
Thanks for reading! You can order the products in this article on Amazon.com. Good luck!
The saying “there’s no shortcuts to good health” might not be as true anymore as it used to be, but I still thing exercise and a healthy diet is the best option. I never buy stuff like this anymore without doing proper research first and remember, overuse of anything can be dangerous even stuff like protein shakes. Im happy that you decided to include a warning in the beginning of the article, its really important that people know what they’re doing.
It seems like there are many more cons than pros to water pills and they seem like they could be dangerous for people who are looking for that ‘quick fix’, so thanks for the warnings. What situations do you recommend them for, or is it always better to choose a more natural option like the ones you provided?