Should You Take Diuretics for Weight Loss? Here’s What Dietitians Say

Most nutrition professionals agree that losing water weight is more of a quick fix than a long-term solution.

Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Diuretics (sometimes called “water pills”) have long been used by people hoping to lose a few pounds, but are they truly an effective supplement for weight loss? With the rise in popularity of weight-loss drugs, many people are trying over-the-counter diet pills, like diuretics. This class of substances help the body release water, resulting in quick changes on the scale. Although rapid weight loss may sound appealing, you may be wondering if they’re safe or recommended by experts. This article sheds light on diuretics, including what they are, whether or not they promote weight loss and if nutrition professionals suggest using them.

What Are Diuretics?

“Diuretics are substances found in food (or medications) that help your body get rid of water,” says Lisa Andrews, M.Ed., RD, LD, owner of Sound Bites Nutrition. The body consists of 60% water, and there is a precise balance of fluid and electrolytes within the cells. Certain conditions—such as high blood pressure, heart failure or kidney issues—may cause fluid buildup in the body. Too much fluid is often coupled with excess sodium, which can be harmful to the body. The organs work overtime to flush out the fluid and sodium from the body, and this process may result in swelling and trouble breathing.

Diuretics tell receptors in the kidneys to reduce the uptake of sodium and remove it in the urine. “In short, diuretics make you pee more, resulting in water loss from your body,” says Andrews. Diuretics are most commonly found in medications, but there are diuretics in some foods and beverages. “These include caffeine from coffee, tea or other caffeinated beverages, and alcohol, lemons, celery, bell peppers, garlic, onions, cucumbers, asparagus, grapes, pineapple and watermelon,” says Andrews.

Do Diuretics Help with Weight Loss?

Diuretics are used to treat many health conditions, but they are also popular among those with weight-loss goals. Although urinating more often may temporarily reduce the number on the scale, losing water weight isn’t a sustainable weight-loss tactic. “Diuretics cause a temporary weight loss due to loss of water, not fat,” says Sheri Berger, RDN, CDCES, owner of Sheri The Plant Strong Dietitian. “In essence, you are losing body water and ‘drying yourself out,’ which may appear to be weight loss,” adds Andrews. As soon as the water returns to the body, the weight is typically regained.

“True weight loss involves losing body fat through calorie reduction and/or increased physical activity,” says Andrews. A 2021 review in the Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome states that maintaining weight loss long-term is a result of complex factors, like the type and amount of food eaten, as well as meal timing. “While [diuretic] fruits, vegetables and caffeinated beverages may be part of a weight-loss diet, consumption of them on their own without altering overall calorie intake or exercise may not result in fat loss,” says Andrews. “For sustained weight loss that results in fat loss and improved body composition (more muscle), focus on healthy habits such as food choices, strength training and cardiovascular exercise,” says Berger.

Diuretic medications or foods may result in quick weight loss, but the weight usually returns as soon as the fluid builds back up in the body. Not to mention that “sometimes taking a diuretic for weight loss may backfire, as the body may compensate for fluid loss by retaining extra fluid,” notes Berger.

Should You Take Diuretics?

Simply put, most health professionals don’t advise using diuretics for weight loss. “Taking diuretics may result in dehydration, as well as electrolyte abnormalities in your blood, namely potassium and sodium, which are needed to maintain blood pressure and normal cardiac rhythm,” says Andrews.

Berger notes that it does not hurt to eat foods that contain diuretics, since they contain plenty of additional nutritional benefits. However, diuretic supplements should always be approved by your doctor first since they can interfere with medications and many are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Diuretic medications should only be taken for the condition in which they are prescribed by your health care team.

The Bottom Line

Diuretics are a type of substance that helps rid the body of excess water. Although the thought of quickly losing a few pounds may sound enticing to some, taking diuretics is not a safe or effective way to lose weight sustainably. Water weight fluctuates daily and does not play a role in long-term weight loss and maintenance. To lose weight in a healthier way, focus on an overall healthy eating pattern and exercise behaviors that you enjoy and can keep up with for the long haul.

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Read the original article on Eating Well.