We don’t necessarily think about it when we’re looking for meal ideas.
Swollen fingers, heavy legs… The risk of water retention increases as summer approaches. Fortunately, certain foods, combined with good hydration, a balanced diet and regular physical activity, promote the drainage of water retained in the tissues and allow you to deflate quickly. Good news, one of them is particularly effective against the phenomenon of water retention and is currently being consumed in France. Test and you will see…
This spring flower vegetable is discreet in the kitchen and we don’t necessarily think about it when looking for meal ideas. However, it has everything to please: it is inexpensive (less than two euros a piece when it is in season), very tasty, filling and has a low energy value (47 calories per 100 g). “In addition to being nourishing, this precious vegetable seems to be a slimming ally by helping to reduce water retention in the body.“, in particular thanks to its good potassium content (385 mg/100 g), a mineral which has a naturally diuretic effect and a depurative function, explains Mélodie Dewever Cesari, certified naturopath, specialized in nutrition and founder of the Instagram account @insideoutbymelodie. Its richness in fiber also contributes to urinary elimination.
In capsules, in herbal tea or simply on the plate, this is why this vegetable is particularly recommended when you want to detoxify your body or lose a little weight. If it is more often eaten steamed, accompanied by a vinaigrette (do not overdo it), it can also be enjoyed roasted in the oven, braised on the barbecue, stuffed, raw in salad (the hearts sold in cans are lend themselves well) or in the form of an aperitif spread for example (again, don’t overdo it because this type of product is often rich in oil).
The famous vegetable is none other than the artichoke (Cynara cardunculus), “a food also rich in particularly effective plant substances which are mainly concentrated in the leaves. The latter contain cynarin, inulin (a carbohydrate composed of fructose, which gives it its sweet taste, editor’s note) and potassium, vitamin B9 and K, dietary fibers ideal for boosting digestion. They are also composed of flavonoids, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, iron, trace elements and minerals. A cocktail to nourish the skin from the inside“, continues the expert. Be careful, however, consumed in excess (more than one per day), the artichoke can cause bloating abdominals.