How Stress Causes Water Retention and What You Can Do About It

Are you following your diet perfectly but still feeling bloated and puffy? You might be retaining water due to stress. Surprisingly, stress can cause your body to hold onto water, making you feel puffy even when you're eating clean. Let’s explore why this happens and how you can manage it. The Connection Between Stress and Water Retention When you're stressed, your hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which signals your pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH then prompts your adrenal glands to produce glucocorticoids like cortisol. High cortisol levels lead to the release of aldosterone, a hormone that regulates sodium and potassium balance in the body. Elevated aldosterone levels cause your body to retain sodium and excrete potassium, leading to water retention. Additionally, stress increases the production of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin. ADH makes your kidneys more permeable to water,