Popular Diuretics| How Do They Compare

Popular Diuretics| How Do They Compare

Often with supplements, we see products that are basically clones of other products. To help sort through the products and find your perfect-fit supplement, we at SDS break down the labels ingredient v ingredient. Today we’re going over some of our popular diuretics; Hydravax by Metabolic Nutrition, Evaporate by Blackstone Labs, and Xpel by MHP.

What Are They?

Natural diuretics are herbs, vitamins, or minerals that help remove excess sodium and fluids from the body. For more general information on natural diuretics click here.

Unlike in our other product comparison blogs, today we are comparing 3 product labels. Above you’ll notice we used several colors to indicate the shared ingredients with each product. Yellow represents an ingredient used in all the products. Orange, for ingredients just used in Hydravax and Xpel. Lastly red, for ingredients just used in Evaporate and Xpel.

What To Look For?

There are 7 herbs with a solid reputation for their natural diuretic properties. These are not the only valuable ingredient within a formula, but it’s a good sign when a supplement has one or more of these ingredients. When comparing products you should look for:

• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
• Hawthorn/Hawthorn berries
• Horsetail extract
• Juniper plant
• Green or Black Tea
• Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
• Hibiscus

Whats The Same?

Going across the labels, there are 4 ingredients that are found in each product; Uva Ursi, Magnesium, Dandelion, and finally Green Tea Extract.

Uva Ursi

Also known as bearberry, uva ursi is a small ground cover shrub. It is most commonly used for treating acute urinary tract infections (UTIs). In addition to being a diuretic, uva ursi has a long history of usage for diseases of the bladder and kidneys. It is reported to strengthen the urinary passages and even alleviate inflammation of the urinary tract (1).†

Dandelion /Taraxacum officinale

Dandelion leaves are a well-known and effective natural diuretic. This plant has been seen to enhance kidney activity and increase the frequency of urination (2). Along with these properties, it may promote liver health and aid in urinary tract infections. †

Magnesium

One of the most common and serious side effects of diuretic usage is an increased loss of potassium and magnesium (3). Because of this, you will often see magnesium and/or potassium included in your diuretic formula. †

Green Tea Extract

Although tea contains only about one-third the caffeine found in coffee, the caffeine in green or black tea can help with water retention. Caffeine has some diuretic properties and therefore stimulates urination (4). Evaporate and Xpel both disclose the amount of caffeine in their formulas, but because Hydravax is proprietary blend the actual amount of caffeine is not revealed in the label. Although not disclosed, this product does contain some amount of stimulants as stated with the ingredient, Methylxanthines. †

Next we’re going to over the ingredients shared in Hydravax and Xpel.

Couch Grass

Couch grass is best known for its gentle diuretic actions, and ability to sooth the mucosa. Mucosa are membranes that line many tracts and structures of the body, including the mouth, nose,  stomach and intestines, and the urethra, and urinary bladder. Couch grass is also used to treat gout, rheumatic disorders, chronic skin conditions, and urinary tract, bladder, and kidney disorders(5). †

Corn Silk

Corn silk  has a history of usage as a natural potent diuretic. It is also used for bladder infections, inflammation of the urinary system, inflammation of the prostate, kidney stones, and more ailments(6). †

Juniper

The traditional usage of juniper is as a diuretic and to treat conditions of the bladder or kidneys (7). † However it is sometimes used in beverages and foods for flavoring.

Hydrangea

Most of hydrangea’s health benefits come from their roots. Hydrangea are an anti-lithic herb, which prevents stones or gravel from forming in the kidneys and bladder. Anti-lithic herbs can also assist the body in removing stones and gravel from these organs(8). †

Buchu

Historically, buchu usage was to treat inflammation, kidney and urinary tract infections. Now buchu remains a popular herbal diuretic (9).†

Now we’re going to over the ingredients shared in Evaporate and Xpel.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is important for the formation of red blood cells and serve many other functions in the body. It is a water-soluble vitamin, which means it dissolves in water and doesn’t store in the body. Vitamin B6 may also provide some diuretic effects, however this is not always experienced(10). †

Horsetail extract

Horsetail extract may contain chemicals that increase the amount of urine the body produces (11). It has a history of usage to heal ulcers, stop bleeding, treat kidney problems, and fight infections since ancient Greek and Roman times. Horsetail is also a popular source of silica for strengthening bones, hair, and nails. †

What makes each product special ?

Now that we have gone over what is similar between these products, lets go over what sets them apart.

Hydravax

Besides the Methylxanthine, Hydravax has 3 individual ingredients; Asparagus Concentrate, White Willow Bark, and Cranberry Powder.

Asparagus has a history of usage for its diuretic properties since the Ancient Greeks and Romans. The vegetable’s diuretic effects come from the amino acid asparagine and may treat swelling, rheumatism, and premenstrual water retention(12).†

The bark of white willow contains salicin, which is a chemical similar to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). In combination with the herb’s powerful anti-inflammatory compounds, salicin may be responsible for the pain-relieving effects of the herb(13). †

Cranberry is acidic and can aid in preventing symptoms of urinary tract infections (14). Cranberry may also have diuretic properties.†

Evaporate

Evaporate contains 5 different ingredients; Tropaeolum Majus L. Ethanolic Extract, Yerba Mate, Taurine, Apium Graveolens, and Petroselinum crispum.

Tropaeolum Majus L Ethanolic Extract is well recognized in Brazilian traditional medicine as natural diuretic agent(15). This plant is also very high in vitamin C.†

Yerba mate is a herbal tea, made from the leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. This plant is rich in antioxidants, nutrients, and xanthines (more stimulants).Yerba mate may reduce appetite, boost metabolism and increase the amount of fat burned for fuel(16).†

Taurine is a type of amino acid. It plays many roles among the body including, maintaining proper hydration and electrolyte balance in your cells(17).†

Apium Graveolens (celery) can help with boosting digestion and reducing bloating. As well as help prevent UTIs, ulcers, high blood pressure and can help protect the liver(18).†

Petroselinum crispum (parsley) is useful to treat a variety of gastrointestinal concerns, as a diuretic, and to even help stimulate appetite(19). †

Xpel

Lastly, we have Xpel, which has 4 different ingredients; Calcium (as Calcium Carbonate), Potassium (as Potassium Carbonate),  Calcium Gluconate, and Guarana Seed Extract.

The body needs minerals like calcium for healthy bones, muscles, nervous system, and heart. Calcium carbonate is also useful as an antacid to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and upset stomach. The calcium gluconate is a mineral supplement and medication used to treat low blood calcium, high blood potassium, and magnesium toxicity.

Potassium is an electrolyte with many essential jobs: It helps conduct nerve impulses and muscle contractions, regulates the flow of fluids and nutrients into and out of body cells, and helps keep your blood pressure in check—partly by countering the effects of sodium.†

Guarana seed is an effective stimulant: it contains about twice the concentration of caffeine found in coffee seeds (about 2–4.5% caffeine in guarana seeds, compared to 1–2% for coffee seeds). †

Which should you try?

As we mentioned before Hydravax is entirely a proprietary blend, containing a total of 1000mg of active ingredients. Unlike the other products, Hydravax’s serving size is one capsule.Therefore if you were looking for a diuretic to take for an extended time period, this is a supplement you should consider. Hydravax is a lower dose blend, but the manufacturers state you can go up to 2 capsules a day.

As you can see, the label for Evaporate is a mix of disclosed ingredients and blends. Totaling up to about 4305mg of active ingredients. The serving size for Evaporate is 6 capsules leaving you with 10 servings per bottle. We would recommend this product for more competitive athletics/bodybuilders who are looking to lean out before going on stage. The manufacturers direct that users take 3 capsules after breakfast and 3 capsules after lunch.

One thing that separates Xpel from the other diuretics is the Muscle Performance Electrolytes blend. In addition to having essential minerals in the formula, MHP includes this blend to replenish the electrolytes you lose while using a diuretic. Xpel contains 2902mg of active ingredients, though due to the prop blends we wouldn’t be able to efficiently claim it is as strong or stronger than Evaporate.  The serving size for Xpel is 4 capsules, containing a total of 20 servings per bottle. However, we would still recommend Xpel for more competitive athletes. Although not specifically indicated, you can split the dose like with Evaporate.

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5591533/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3155102/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5786912/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4897558/
5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313702953_Chemical_constituents_and_pharmacological_importance_of_Agropyron_repens_-_A_review
6. http://www.sphinxsai.com/2017/ch_vol10_no10/1/(129-137)V10N10CT.pdf
7. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn/2014/634723/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2964762/
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9924759
10. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB6-HealthProfessional/
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3960516/
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249924/
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25997859
14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16857334
15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22465728
16. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18034743
17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5933890/
18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5414449/
19. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03468361