A diuretic is a substance which increases the rate of urination, which helps to remove excess fluid from the human body. Certain foods such as sugar and salt can induce water retention and bloating, as can having an inadequate intake of protein. The effects of these foods can be offset by the deliberate inclusion of natural diuretics in the diet.

There are a wide range of natural diuretics easily available and the main types are listed here.

• Green tea – originating from China, this tea is made solely from the leaves of Camellia sinensis and has mild diuretic properties, along with a list of other potential health benefits.
• Cranberries and cranberry juice – these are often used to help cure or prevent diseases of the urinary tract and are also a natural diuretic.
• Dandelion – this common wayside flower, or weed, possess useful diuretic capabilities and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. The leaves and flower buds were once widely used in salads and are becoming popular once again.
• Dandelion leaf tea – this drink made from dandelion leaves has similar properties to the leaves from which it is made.
• Stinging nettle – this is another unpopular weed which has medicinal benefits; nettles have leaves that are high in nutrients and have been shown to be a natural diuretic.
• Fennel – this aromatic and flavoursome herb is also used by some to stimulate waste removal from the body.
• Apple cider vinegar – this has been used as a folk remedy for a range of conditions and has a reputation for also being a diuretic.
• Watermelon – these have a high water content, stimulating the kidneys.
• Cucumber – this is a good source of sulphur and silicon, again stimulating the kidneys.
• Watercress – this popular salad has diuretic properties.
  

• Artichokes – this perennial thistle with edible buds is often used in medicine.
• Asparagus – contains asparigine, a natural chemical that helps promote removal of waste material from the body.
• Oats – silica a, a natural part of oats, is a diuretic.
• Tomatoes – these have a high water content and help to flush out the kidneys.
• Celery – another food with high water content.
• Beets – these foods contain compounds that attack floating body fats and fatty deposits, with a diuretic effect.
• Brussel sprouts – these aid stimulation of both the kidneys and the pancreas.
• Lettuce – another water-rich salad food.
• Carrots – these are laden with carotene which increases the body’s metabolic rate, speeding up the processes of waste removal.

Other foods that speed up the body’s metabolism are raw onion, radish and horseradish.

Because they simulate the removal of waste material from the body, diuretics also aid the removal of toxins from the body. They can also help with weight loss by reducing water retention.

However, as with all medicinal foods, they should be used in moderation. Diuretics can also result in loss of valuable vitamins and minerals from the body, so they need to form part of a balanced and healthy diet.