Water also aids in digestion, carries nutrients, aids in building tissue, transports waste from the body and helps maintain the body's normal temperature. Although there are large amounts of water in vegetables and fruit, which is helpful to vegetarians, anyone who consumes high levels of fiber should be sure to consume sufficient water. Contrary to what many people think, a good way to combat excess fluid retention is to drink water. When the body doesn't get enough water, it conserves all the moisture it can. The best way to tell your body to release the stored fluids is to give it water.
Salt can cause higher water retention, requiring extra water to dilute it.
Lowering salt intake is easy to do and extra amounts of water will flush the sodium from the system. Thirst is not always a good indication of the need for water. In many people, the sensation of thirst doesn't occur until the body is already dangerously dehydrated. The best way to assure a proper fluid balance for an average size person is to drink at least 6 to 8 eight ounce glasses of water a day. Heavier people need to drink even more water.